Department for Transport

Railways: Compensation

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information his Department holds on how much has been paid out by (a) Southern Rail and (b) all train operating companies to passengers for late running and cancellation compensation in each of the last five years.

Claire Perry: The Department holds the information as set out in the table attached. Not all operators are required to provide such figures. 



UIN 6383 - TOC Compensation 2010-2015
(PDF Document, 27.31 KB)

East Coast Railway Line: Level Crossings

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent progress has been made on Network Rail's East Coast Main Line level crossings closure programme.

Claire Perry: After 18 months of work, and following public consultation, I understand that Network Rail has now concluded its East Coast Main Line level crossing closure feasibility study as part of its commitment to delivering a safer, more efficient and reliable railway.   The study has informed preferred options for the closure of all 73 level crossings between Kings Cross and Doncaster and Network Rail has indicated its intention to progress these on a case-by-case basis as part of other planned improvement works on this line.   Network Rail has written to stakeholders explaining the results and its intended next steps.

Railways: Finance

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to paragraphs 1.298, 1.307 and 2.31 of the Summer Budget 2015, HC 264, what additional money he plans to make available to the New Stations Fund; and what assessment he has made of the cost and scope of works to upgrade the line from Shirebrook Junction to Edwinstowe and Ollerton so that it can carry passenger traffic.

Claire Perry: We are making up to £20m available for a further round of the New Stations Fund and the proposed new stations at Edwinstowe and Ollerton will be eligible to bid for this funding. The Department has not assessed the cost and scope of works to upgrade the line from Shirebrook Junction as this is a matter for the scheme’s promoters. We will be announcing more details on the New Stations Fund shortly.

Transport: North of England

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what funding his Department provided to Transport for the North in (a) 2014-15 and (b) 2015-16; and what funding he plans to provide to that organisation in each subsequent financial year to 2019-20.

Andrew Jones: Transport for the North (TfN) has already received up to £12.5m for development work, £8.5 million of which has been provided by the Department for Transport and up to £4 million of which has been provided from the members of TfN. As the Chancellor announced in the Budget, TfN will receive an additional £10 million of funding in 2015-16 and a further £10 million in each of 2016-17 and 2017-18. Further discussions on funding will be taken in due course.

Department for Transport: Directors

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, on what dates during the last 12 months his Department's Board has met.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Department’s Board met on 4th June 2014, 3rd September 2014, 20th October 2014, 11th March 2015 and 3rd June 2015.

Department for Communities and Local Government

Enterprise Zones: Derelict Land

James Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what his policy is on prioritising the development of Enterprise Zones on existing brownfield sites.

James Wharton: Local Enterprise Partnerships rather than the Government decide which sites should be prioritised for development. A new bidding round for Enterprise Zones was announced by my rt. hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer (George Osborne), in his Budget statement on 8 July. Applications involving the development of brownfield sites will be considered alongside other proposals based on their strategic, economic and financial benefits.

Fire Services: Pensions

Dr Sarah Wollaston: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, when he plans to publish the revised commutation factors for the firefighters pension scheme.

Mr Mark Francois: The Government accepts in full the Pension Ombudsman’s recent determination regarding commutation factors used to calculate lump sum payments for certain firefighters and police officers. It also recognises that there are other individuals who are affected by the principles set out in this determination, and is working with pension administrators to identify these and ensure that appropriate payments are made as quickly as possible. The Government Actuary’s Department is preparing detailed guidance for administrators to aid them in calculating the amounts owed. They intend to issue this guidance, as well as tables of revised commutation factors, to administrators in the near future. At this point, they will also be made available online.

Communities and Local Government: Birmingham

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, which local spending bodies in the city of Birmingham (a) his Department is responsible for and (b) draw on funds voted to his Department.

Mr Marcus Jones: My Department has no direct responsibility for local spending bodies in the city of Birmingham. DCLG does provide funding to Birmingham City Council and West Midlands Fire Authority, which are locally led organisations. More broadly, my Department publishes monthly data outlining all payments above £250, including the recipient organisation. However my Department does not collect data on where recipients are located.

Fire Services and Local Government: Employment

Mr David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the number of people with home postcodes in Wales who work for English (a) fire services and (b) local authorities.

Mr Marcus Jones: The Department does not hold data on the home addresses of local authority or fire service employees and we have made no estimate of the number of people living in Wales who work for English authorities.

Housing: Construction

Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to encourage local authorities to adopt the National Space Standards for New Dwellings.

James Wharton: The National Planning Policy Framework sets out that local authorities should consider a range of issues in developing their local planning policy. The National Space Standard implemented as part of the Housing Standards Review is available for local authorites to adopt in their Local Plan where they decide it is necessary and desirable to do so, subject to development remaining viable. Planning Guidance provides advice on how to apply the National Space Standard.

Combined Authorities: Powers

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what plans he has to establish a team within his Department dedicated to facilitating combined authority devolution negotiations; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what resources his Department plans to make available to facilitate combined authority devolution negotiations; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the total cost to the public purse of holding devolution negotiations for combined authorities in the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Mark Francois: Devolution is one of the Government’s top priorities and will therefore be prioritised within departmental resourcing. To meet this commitment, the Government will prioritise the resources necessary to facilitate negotiations with areas and to deliver on any statutory elements of deals, such as the establishment of combined authorities. The deployment of resources will need to be flexible to accommodate the nature and number of negotiations happening at any one time, which will vary as will the total cost of the negotiation process.The Government is committed to devolving far-reaching powers within England as part of a power shift away from central government, enabling places to drive their own economic growth and take decisions over public services. In devolving powers the Government is committed to a 'bottom up' approach and is asking local areas to come forward with proposals on the form of devolution that would work best for them. This approach builds on the devolution deal the government struck with Greater Manchester in the last Parliament that will see the devolution of significant powers and budgets and the establishment of a directly elected mayor.

Commission for Local Administration in England

Mrs Anne-Marie Trevelyan: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, when his Department plans to publish the results of its consultation on extending the remit of the Local Government Ombudsman to include larger parish and town councils.

Mr Marcus Jones: The consultation on extending the remit of the Local Government Ombudsman to larger parish and town councils closed on 30 June and we are now carefully considering the 108 responses we received from parish and town councils, district councils, local government representative bodies and members of the public. We are doing this in the context of our intention, as announced in the Queen’s speech, to publish in this Parliamentary session a draft Bill creating a single Public Service Ombudsman.

Local Government: Minimum Wage

Mr Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what his estimate is of the cost to local authorities of the increased minimum wage announced in the 2015 Summer Budget payable to (a) local authority employees and (b) employees of private contractors and service providers in each year from 2016-17 to 2019-20.

Mr Marcus Jones: The Office of Budget Responsibility estimated that wage costs across the whole UK economy would increase by £4 billion by 2020 as a result of the implementation of the National Living Wage, assuming no changes to employment or hours worked. Some of those costs will be faced by the public sector, including local government. The impact on local government of the introduction of the National Living Wage will be considered as part of an overall assessment of spending pressures as part of the Spending Review process.

Social Rented Housing: Rents

Mr Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what his estimate is of the cost to (a) local authorities and (b) housing associations of the administration involved in charging market rents to higher-earning social housing tenants.

Brandon Lewis: We will set out the detail in due course.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Brazil: Death

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support his Department (a) has given and (b) plans to give to the Juwaheer family following the death of Neil Juwaheer in Brazil in 2007.

Mr Hugo Swire: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has provided consular assistance to Mr Juwaheer’s family, which has included supporting the family during their visit to Brazil, providing a list of local lawyers, and helping them to arrange Mr Juwaheer’s repatriation to the United Kingdom. While the Right hon. Member will understand we cannot interfere in the internal affairs of another country, we have made known our interest in this case with the court, the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Public Prosecutor appointed to represent Mr Juwaheer’s interests. We will remain in contact with the Judge and the Court to maintain our interest in Mr Jawaheer’s case and to push for progress in the investigation into his death.

Colombia: Human Rights

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will raise threats made against Berenice Celeita, Claudia Julieta Duque, Andrea Torres and Jorge Molano with the Colombian government.

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations his Department has received on threats against Colombian human rights defenders Berenice Celeita, Claudia Julieta Duque, Andrea Torres and Jorge Molano.

Mr Hugo Swire: On 3 July, our officials were informed by the non-government organisation, Peace Brigades International, about the recent threats encountered by these four Human Rights Defenders (HRDs). Although the Government is unable to interfere in the judicial process of another country, we will continue to monitor specific cases where our resources allow. Our Embassy in Bogotá was already aware of the cases of Claudia Julieta Duque and Jorge Molano. Jorge Molano met our officials in the United Kingdom on 4 June to discuss the security situation of HRDs and justice for victims of the conflict. We remain concerned by the number of threats made against HRDs in Colombia. We regularly raise these concerns with the Colombian government and our Ambassador in Bogotá has discussed human rights issues with the Presidential Adviser for Human Rights and the Attorney-General’s Office.

South Sudan: Armed Conflict

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his international counterparts on the conflict in South Sudan.

James Duddridge: During the African Union Summit, I discussed the importance of a lasting peace settlement in South Sudan with Foreign Ministers from a number of regional countries, including Ethiopia and Uganda along with senior officials at the African Union. Most recently, I discussed the urgent need for progress in peace talks with the Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Amina Mohamed, on 8 July 2015.

Gaza: Islamic State

Dr   Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received of ISIL-linked terrorists operating in Gaza.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: We are concerned about the recent rise in the number of small Salafi groups in Gaza that sympathise or self-identify with ISIL. This highlights the urgent need for all the parties to reach an agreement that addresses the underlying causes of conflict in Gaza to restore security under the Palestinian Authority, and reduce the risk of radicalisation inside Gaza. We are monitoring the situation closely.

Pakistan: Human Rights

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with government officials in Pakistan on the persecution of religious and social minorities in that country.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: We remain deeply concerned by the persecution of religious and other minorities in Pakistan. The Pakistan Government can be under no doubt as to the importance we place on addressing these issues. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), discussed our concerns at the misuse of the blasphemy laws in Pakistan with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in November 2014, as did the Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) in December. In June I stressed our ongoing concern about minorities in Pakistan with the Pakistan High Commissioner to London.We will continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to protect the human rights of all its citizens and our concerns about minorities in Pakistan are documented in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office annual Human Rights Report.

USA: Nuclear Weapons

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent reports he has received on potentially unsafe transit of nuclear warheads by the US military.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: My Department has not received any such recent reports.

USA: Nuclear Weapons

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the US government on the safety of that country's nuclear missiles.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The Foreign Secretary has made no such representations.

Sri Lanka: Official Visits

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has received from the Tamil National Alliance on meeting with the Chief Minister of Sri Lanka's Northern Province during his forthcoming visit to the UK.

Mr Hugo Swire: I will be meeting the Chief Minister of Sri Lanka’s Northern Province, a member of the Tamil National Alliance, later this week during his visit to the United Kingdom in a private capacity.

Iran: Nuclear Power

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made on whether Iran's operation of IR-1 centrifuges is in line with that country's claim that its nuclear programme is for peaceful civilian means.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: We are working towards a comprehensive agreement with Iran to achieve a breakout timeline of at least one year and ensure that Iran's nuclear programm eis exclusively peaceful. Iran’s use of IR-1 centrifuges is central to its enrichment and, consequently, breakout capability. As agreed in Lausanne on 2 April, Iran’s enrichment capacity will be limited as part of a comprehensive nuclear deal.

Iran: Uranium

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the P5+1 and Iran have discussed Iran's stock of near 20 per cent enriched uranium which is currently in oxide form or in scrap and waste.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: Iran’s stock of near 20% enriched uranium will be an important aspect of a comprehensive nuclear deal we are working hard to agree with Iran. However, it remains Government policy not to comment on the detail of the nuclear negotiations while they are continuing.

Iran: Uranium

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of reports that Iran has reneged on an agreement to ship its stock of enriched uranium to Russia.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: On 2 April in Lausanne, the E3+3 and Iran agreed that Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile would be reduced and limited as part of a comprehensive nuclear deal to reassure the international community of the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme. However, it remains Government policy not to comment on the detail of the nuclear negotiations while they are continuing.

British Nationals Abroad: Homicide

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many British nationals were murdered abroad in each year since 2010; and in which countries those deaths took place.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: Holding answer received on 13 July 2015



The Foreign and Commonwealth Office only captures information about cases that come to our attention, rather than holding definitive information on the total number of UK nationals who are victims of murder and manslaughter overseas.The FCO has provided assistance to the following number of cases recorded as murder and manslaughter in each of the last five years:2010 462011 702012 592013 762014 892015 67 (up to and including July 2015).In January 2015, the FCO established a new dedicated team to lead on murder and manslaughter cases. These cases have occurred throughout the world in the past five years. Since January, deaths have occurred in Afghanistan, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, France, Ghana, India, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, South Africa, South Sudan, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, USA, and Zambia.

Human Trafficking

Mr Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what role his Department plays in preventing human trafficking.

Mr Hugo Swire: Britain’s diplomatic missions are implementing the Modern Slavery Strategy, working with foreign governments in source and transit countries to build their capacity to disrupt and tackle human trafficking. They also support local investigators to increase the rate of prosecutions, conduct awareness raising projects and address the root causes of modern slavery through the Department for International Development’s work in the world’s poorest countries.

Iran: Nuclear Power

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what criteria his Department has set for determining what will be a successful conclusion to the final phase of negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: We want a durable, verifiable and comprehensive nuclear agreement with Iran that addresses our proliferation concerns. Any agreement must include detailed, tough commitments by Iran that give us confidence that Iran’s nuclear programme will be entirely peaceful. The provisions should cover the full range of Iran’s nuclear activities, including its production and stockpile of fissile material and nuclear research and development, as well as robust verification and monitoring arrangements – with phased sanctions relief if Iran meets its commitments.

Syria: Islamic State

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential role of the UK in supporting tribal clan groups in Syria to act collectively to tackle ISIL.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: Tackling ISIL requires a multi-faceted approach by both the international community and moderate Syrian opposition groups, including those of various ethnic and tribal backgrounds. The UK is supporting moderate opposition groups through the US-led train and equip programme. This programme aims to build the capabilities of moderate Syrian fighters to defend the Syrian people, stabilise areas under opposition control, promote the conditions for a negotiated settlement of the conflict in Syria and empower trainees to eventually conduct offensive operations against ISIL.

Mediterranean Sea: Refugees

Jo Churchill: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to address the root causes of the refugee situation in the Mediterranean.

Mr David Lidington: The UK is leading the way through alleviating poverty and working to stabilise countries of origin and transit. We are disrupting smuggling networks. We are tackling the perception that getting on a boat will lead to automatic entry into the EU and we continue to work closely with EU and African partners.

European Union

Marcus Fysh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the progress of negotiations to reform (a) the EU and (b) the UK's relationship with the EU.

Mr David Lidington: The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), the Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) and I are focussed on successfully reforming and renegotiating our relationship with the EU. The June European Council saw the successful launch of a process of technical discussions on EU reform. Leaders have agreed to return to the issue at the December European Council.

European Union

Steve Double: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the progress of negotiations to reform (a) the EU and (b) the UK's relationship with the EU.

Mr David Lidington: The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), the Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) and I are focussed on successfully reforming and renegotiating our relationship with the EU. The June European Council saw the successful launch of a process of technical discussions on EU reform. Leaders have agreed to return to the issue at the December European Council.

North Africa: Terrorism

Dr   Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the level of the terrorist threat to UK nationals in North Africa.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre continually monitors the international terrorist threat to the UK and our interests overseas. Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice draws on their assessments, together with other sources of information, to help the British public to make informed decisions about travel.The murder of 38 innocent holiday-makers on 26 June was a stark and dreadful illustration that the threat across much of north Africa is high.

Northern Ireland Office

English Votes for English Laws: Northern Ireland

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment she has made of the effect on the role of hon. Members from Northern Ireland of the proposed Standing Orders governing English votes on English laws; and if she will make a statement.

Mrs Theresa Villiers: As the Conservative manifesto on which the Government was elected states, ‘We will work to ensure a stable constitution that is fair to the people of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.’Ensuring that legislation affecting only England, or England and Wales can only be passed with the consent of MPs from England, or England and Wales, is a key part of that.Under our proposals, MPs from Northern Ireland will, like all MPs, continue to debate and vote on every piece of legislation in the Commons. The proposed Standing Orders will, however, give English and Welsh MPs the opportunity to give their explicit consent to legislation that only applies to those nations and is devolved elsewhere. This has similarities with the system of legislative consent motions in devolved assemblies.All MPs will continue to approve Departmental spending together through the Estimates process, which also sets out the level of funding for the devolved administrations. MPs from Northern Ireland will be able to give their explicit consent to tax measures which apply to England, Wales and Northern Ireland but relate to matters devolved to the Scottish Parliament.

National Asset Management Agency: Northern Ireland

Ms Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment she has made of the potential effect of the acquisition of the National Assets Management Agency's Northern Ireland development portfolio by Cerberus on the Northern Ireland economy.

Ms Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions she has had with the First and Deputy First Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive on the potential effect of the acquisition of the National Assets Management Agency's Northern Ireland development portfolio by Cerberus on the Northern Ireland economy.

Mrs Theresa Villiers: I have not discussed the acquisition of the National Assets Management Agency’s Northern Ireland development portfolio by Cerberus with either the First Minister or the deputy First Minister.I have discussed the potential economic impacts of the sale of the development portfolio in general terms with Executive Ministers, for example in my role as Chair of the Joint Ministerial Taskforce on Banking and Access to Finance.

Attorney General

Attorney General: Ministerial Policy Advisers

Stuart Blair Donaldson: To ask the Attorney General, what the name, responsibilities and pay band are of each special adviser in the Law Officers' Departments.

Jeremy Wright: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer my Right Hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office gave on 13th July 2015 to Question 5983.

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

UK Trade and Investment

Dr   Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what support UK Trade & Investment is providing to the food and drink industry.

Anna Soubry: Food and drink companies in the UK have full access to the range of services offered by UK Trade and Investment. Our trade advisers work with companies across the UK to provide step by step advice and guidance on food and drink opportunities, working in tandem with our overseas network who identify export opportunities and support companies with specific projects. Support ranges from upskilling companies so they are export-ready (the Passport to Export Scheme), bespoke market intelligence (the Overseas Market Information Service), through to tailored missions and meet the buyer events, for example.

Student Loans Company

Edward Argar: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what the total number of complainants lodging complaints against the Student Loans Company was in (a) 2012, (b) 2013 and (c) 2014.

Joseph Johnson: The total number of complaints against the Student Loans Company (SLC) in (a) 2012, (b) 2013 and (c) 2014 is set out in the table below. For information I have also provided the number of complaints expressed as a percentage of the total number of SLC’s customers in each corresponding year:  YearNumber of complaintslodged against SLCNumber of complaints as a percentageof the total number of customersa)201211,0850.19%b)201314,1280.22%c)201414,2350.21% Please note that SLC tracks complaints rather than complainants. However these numbers indicate the number of complainants because it is rare for customers to raise complaints on separate issues in the same year.

Apprentices

Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what support he is providing to businesses to help them take on an apprentice.

Nick Boles: We are committed to 3 million apprenticeship starts during this parliament. Our priority is to work with employers to increase the number of apprenticeships they offer. The Government is investing £1.5 billion during the 2014/15 academic year.   Apprenticeships are paid jobs with quality training. The Government currently fully funds apprenticeship training for 16 – 18 year olds and up to 50% of training for over 19s. In addition from April 2016 employers will not be required to pay employer National Insurance contributions for apprentices under 25 on earnings up to the upper earnings limit.   The Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE) currently helps small businesses (with less than 50 employees) to take on up to 5 new young apprentices aged 16 – 24 by providing payments of £1,500 per apprentice.   The Government is introducing a UK-wide levy to help fund the increase in quantity and quality of apprenticeship training. The levy will raise money to fund increases in apprenticeship numbers and quality and will be entirely funded by the contributors.

Student Finance England

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many people lodged complaints against Student Finance England in each of the last five years.

Joseph Johnson: The Student Loans Company (SLC) only hold separate data on the number of complaints lodged against Student Finance England (SFE) from 2013. The number of people who lodged complaints against SFE in 2013 and 2014 is detailed below. For information I have also provided the total number of complaints lodged against SLC in those years and the number of complaints expressed as a percentage of SLC’s customers: YearComplaints lodgedagainst SFENumber of complaintslodged against SLCNumber of SLC complaints as a percentageof the total number of customers201313,51914,1280.22%201413,16914,2350.21%

Coal: Export Credit Guarantees

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will take steps to secure international agreement within Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development countries to stop supporting all coal projects through export credit agreements; and if he will make a statement.

Anna Soubry: UK Export Finance has been participating in discussions within the OECD with the aim of achieving a multilateral agreement on limiting the provision of export credits for coal-fired power projects.

Research

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, when his Department plans to publish the document entitled Research and analysis: research and innovation organisations: functions and policy analysis; and for what reason that document was published in error.

Joseph Johnson: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Research Paper no 226 was published on Tuesday 14 July 2015. The report provides a systematic analysis of the role of public research and innovation organisations in the UK. The report is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/research-and-innovation-organisations-functions-and-policy-issues It was published in error on 15 June before normal clearances had been obtained.

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills: Ministerial Policy Advisers

Stuart Blair Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what the name, responsibilities and pay band are of each special adviser in his Department.

Anna Soubry: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office gave on 13th July 2015 to Question UIN 5983.

Digital Technology

Ian C. Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, by what process his Department plans to bring forward proposals for the establishment of further next generation digital economy centres.

Ian C. Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what discussions he has had with Ministers in the Welsh Government on the establishment of next generation digital economy centres in Wales.

Ian C. Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what criteria were applied in selecting the next generation digital economy centres announced in the Summer Budget 2015.

Joseph Johnson: The Digital Economy Centres were funded through the Research Council UK’s (RCUK) Digital Economy (DE) research programme. This theme has already invested over £170 million in applied multidisciplinary research across the Digital Economy - from societal challenges to technological solutions.   The Next Generation DE Centres will operate over a five-year period and will draw substantially on the knowledge and successes of previous RCUK Digital Economy investments. We have funded six centres and will continue to monitor the impact of the programme as these centres become operational.   There have been no ministerial or official level discussions with the Welsh Government on this issue. The Research Councils support academic research throughout the UK. The Centre based in Swansea is partnering with the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust and South Wales Police, amongst other partners.   The DE Centres were awarded as part of a peer reviewed competition during 2014/15. All applications were considered according to the RCUK standard peer review processes with research excellence as the primary criterion.  Additional secondary assessment criteria such as evidence of co-creation with end-users, and clear plans to develop the UK Digital Economy community, were also considered. The Centres were also required to demonstrate how they would train skilled researchers and innovators.

Department for International Development

Developing Countries: Internet

Imran Hussain: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions she has had with (a) her international counterparts and (b) UN bodies on the provision of cheap and effective internet access to communities in developing countries.

Grant Shapps: Technology has the potential to increase the impact and value for money of UK Aid; and to pull people out of poverty. Many of DFID’s programmes enable communities to access life-changing products and services via the internet, often through a simple mobile phone. Unfortunately, cost continues to be a barrier to internet access for communities in many developing countries. DFID has supported initiatives such as the Alliance for Affordable Internet – a cross-sector coalition which was formed to bring about policy change to drive down the costs of broadband in developing countries. DFID continues to collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders on this agenda including our donor counterparts in the US and Sweden, philanthropic foundations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Omidyar Network and the World Wide Web Foundation, technology firms including Google and Facebook and bodies such as the UN’s International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

South Sudan

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment she has made of the humanitarian situation in South Sudan.

Grant Shapps: In May 2015, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) assessed that 4.6million people (40% of the population) of South Sudan would be in IPC Phases of Crisis or Emergency from May to July 2015. This assessment did not take into account the subsequent fighting which erupted in Unity State in May and has left up to a million people without access to vital humanitarian aid. To respond to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, the UK announced £40million of funding on 16th June 2015. This is in addition to the UK’s existing commitment of £132.5m in South Sudan (and a further £58.9 million for South Sudanese refugees in the region) since December 2013. Further funding is being considered. The South Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan has sought $1.63 billion to meet the most urgent needs until the end of 2015 and it is so far 49% funded. The UK Government continues to urge the international community to respond as we have and follow our lead.

Developing Countries: Females

Owen Thompson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department has taken to ensure that resources are reaching women working at the grassroots in developing countries defending women's rights.

Justine Greening: Supporting women’s rights organisations is vital to challenging harmful social norms and supporting collective action to bring about change. DFID supports women’s rights organisations through several Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) such as Womankind, Vital Voices and through the UN Trust Fund to end Violence against Women. In March I announced £8 million for AmplifyChange, an initiative which supports community based organisations to take action on a number of neglected sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and gender issues including child, early and forced marriage (CEFM), female genital mutilation (FGM) and violence against women and girls (VAWG).

Developing Countries: Crimes of Violence

Owen Thompson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what funding her Department has allocated to projects tackling violence against women and girls in each of the last three years.

Justine Greening: As with many other areas of development work, the need to tackle underpinning social norms to address violence against women and girls means that many of our programmes are multi-year and complex, so it is very difficult to say precisely what the figure is each year. 90 programmes in our portfolio contain elements which address violence against women and girls directly, according to the mapping work undertaken by the consultancy Oxford Policy Management in August 2014. These include sectoral programmes working on education, health, security and justice and humanitarian response.  Funding for our 19 VAWG-focused programmes (those programmes where VAWG is the only issue addressed) increased significantly between 2012 and 2014, from just under £20 million in 2012 to £131 million in 2014. However, as this does not include the many programmes where VAWG is mainstreamed, the total figure spent on this area by my department will be significantly higher.

Department for International Development: Public Expenditure

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, which funding streams she plans to reduce in 2015-16 to implement the £1 billion reduction in her Department's expenditure limit for 2015-16 announced in the Summer Budget 2015.

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, which projects she plans to reduce funding for in 2015-16 to implement the £1 billion reduction in her Department's expenditure limit for 2015-16 announced in the Summer Budget 2015.

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, in which countries she plans to reduce funding in 2015-16 to implement the £1 billion reduction in her Department's expenditure limit for 2015-16 announced in the Summer Budget 2015.

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the effect of the £1 billion reduction in her Department's expenditure limit announced in the Summer Budget 2015 on the Government's commitment to spend 0.7 per cent of gross national income on overseas aid.

Justine Greening: The Department for International Development’s budget was not adjusted at the 2015 Summer Budget.

Department for Education

Reading: Primary Education

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to tackle regional discrepancies in primary age reading levels.

Nick Gibb: The government is committed to eliminating illiteracy so that all children are equipped to succeed in education and in life. The national curriculum for English introduced last year places a renewed focus on the requirement for pupils to learn to read through systematic phonics, as evidence shows this is the most effective approach to teaching early reading to all children. We believe poor reading outcomes in all parts of the country are best addressed through the implementation of the national curriculum and the other steps we have taken to improve literacy levels for all children.   To boost the quality of phonics teaching, we have provided £23.7 million in match funding to over 14,000 primary schools, enabling them to buy systematic synthetic phonics products and training. A phonics screening check has also been introduced to help teachers identify children who may need extra support to develop their phonic knowledge. The proportion of 6-year-olds achieving the expected standards in the phonics screening check has risen from 58% to 74% between 2012 and 2014. That is equivalent to 102,000 more children reading more effectively than in 2012.   The 2014 Key Stage 2 results show that the percentage of pupils reaching or exceeding the expected standard in reading at the end of primary school increased by three percentage points from 2013, to 89%.   For pupils who do not reach the expected level in reading by the end of primary school, we have introduced the year 7 literacy and numeracy Catch-up Premium. This funding – £500 per pupil – enables secondary schools to deliver additional support for those pupils that most need it.

Primary Education: West Yorkshire

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many children in (a) West Yorkshire, (b) Leeds and (c) Leeds North West constituency leave primary education with (i) reading, (ii) writing and (iii) mathematics each graded at (A) Level 1, (B) Level 2, (C) Level 3, (D) Level 4, (E) Level 5 and (f) Level 6.

Nick Gibb: The numbers of pupils attaining levels 1 to 6 in the reading test, writing teacher assessment and mathematics test at key stage 2 for West Yorkshire[1], Leeds local authority (LA), and Leeds North West constituency[2] in 2013/14[3] are shown in the tables below: Reading test[4]Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 6West Yorkshire--1,88610,40211,32729Leeds LA--5393,1983,4929Leeds North West Constituency--34251318Supp   Writing teacher assessmentLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 6West Yorkshire1626993,19713,7606,968266Leeds LA451989714,0732,26075Leeds North West Constituency31563331219Supp Maths test[5]Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 6West Yorkshire-1302,73811,5737,7821,857Leeds LA-348263,4412,431598Leeds North West Constituency-05227422168 Source: Primary school performance tables Note: The data has been suppressed if the number of pupils who entered or passed the qualification was three or fewer, denoted by ‘Supp’.[1] Includes Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield local authorities[2] Based on the location of the school[3] Based on revised data[4] Only 3,4,5 and 6 can be achieved in the KS2 reading test[5] Only levels 2,3,4,5 and 6 can be achieved in the KS2 mathematics test

Offences against Children

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to improve how child services protect children and young people at risk of abuse.

Edward Timpson: On 24 June the Prime Minister announced a new Child Protection Taskforce chaired by the Secretary of State for Education. The Prime Minister’s announcement can be found online here: www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-announces-new-taskforce-to-transform-child-protection. The Taskforce will lead work to: extend and accelerate reforms the quality of social work practice and leadership; develop better multi-agency working between children’s social care, the police, health and other local services; improve local authority performance and promote innovative practice; and strengthen governance and accountability in children’s social care.   To improve the quality of services, we are establishing a new national centre of expertise to identify and share high quality evidence on how to tackle child sexual abuse. We have also invested around £100 million in the Children’s Social Care Innovation Programme to develop, test and spread more effective ways of supporting children who need help from children’s social care services. Many of the projects are focused on whole system reforms in child protection services whilst others target specific challenges such as child sexual exploitation or female genital mutilation. All projects are being rigorously evaluated.   Social workers provide invaluable services to the most vulnerable children and families in societies and we are committed to improving the quality of the workforce to ensure that children are properly protected and supported. The Chief Social Worker for Children and Families introduced for the first time in the autumn a clear statement of the knowledge and skills that frontline social workers will need to have and display. We will be consulting shortly on similar statements for practice supervisors and practice leaders, key roles to drive high quality practice.   We have introduced Frontline and Step Up to Social Work programmes to attract high calibre graduates to social work, with a stronger focus on children’s statutory services. 101 Frontline participants are currently training in 18 local authorities in London and Greater Manchester and over 300 Step Up students completed training in 75 local authorities in spring 2015, and we are committed to grow these programmes. We are also working with four teaching partnerships, involving local authorities and higher education institutions, to ensure the initial training that social workers receive is more relevant to the demands of statutory roles.   We are also taking a robust approach to tackling failure in children’s services. Where performance is constantly poor, such as Doncaster, we have put in place new trust arrangements to deliver children’s social care services on behalf of a local authority. Trusts represents an opportunity to deliver a key public service in a different and ground-breaking way that better meets the needs of the children and families in the area. We have enabled strong local authorities to work with weaker ones to drive improvement, for example Hampshire are now running Isle of Wight’s children’s services following evidence of inadequate performance in child protection.

Science: Education

Mrs Flick Drummond: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of students in (a) single-sex and (b) mixed schools who study STEM subjects after GCSE were (i) male and (ii) female in (A) Portsmouth South constituency, (B) the South of England and (C) the UK in each of the last five years.

Nick Gibb: Information is not available in the requested format.

Care Planning and Fostering Regulations 2015

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to raise awareness of the Care Planning and Fostering Regulations 2015 and their accompanying guidance among local authorities.

Edward Timpson: The government has made a series of important reforms to improve permanence for looked after children. We gave them a high profile launch at the British Association of Adoption and Fostering conference on permanence in October 2014, where they formed the centrepiece of my speech.   The Care Planning and Fostering (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2015 and associated guidance came into force on 1 April 2015. We have promoted these reforms to local authorities via the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) bulletin in March 2015; and again through the Department for Education’s official communication to local authority Directors of Children’s Services, Chief Executives and Lead Members in June.

Carers: Poverty

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what information her Department collects on poverty levels among young carers.

Edward Timpson: The Department for Education does not collect this information. We are funding research which aims to provide firmer information on the numbers and needs of young carers and their families. The research will be completed in spring 2016.

Literacy: Cumbria

Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps the Government plans to take to increase (a) childhood and (b) adult literacy rates in (i) Copeland constituency and (ii) Cumbria.

Nick Gibb: The government is committed to improving standards of literacy in both children and adults. Good literacy is the foundation for all achievement in education and critical for work and everyday life. We have set a clear expectation that achieving a good level of English should be the norm.   The reformed national curriculum for English introduced last year puts a much greater emphasis on reading, ensuring that children study a range of books, poems and plays and encouraging them to read widely for pleasure, in school and at home. In years 1 and 2 the curriculum places a renewed focus on the requirement for children to learn to read through systematic phonics, as evidence shows this is the most effective approach to teaching early reading to all children. To boost the quality of phonics teaching, £23.7 million in match funding was provided during the last Parliament to over 14,000 primary schools, enabling them to buy systematic synthetic phonics products and training. A phonics screening check has also been introduced to help teachers identify children who may need extra support to develop their phonic knowledge. The proportion of 6-year-olds achieving the expected standards in the phonics screening check has risen from 58% to 74% between 2012 and 2014. That is equivalent to 102,000 more children reading more effectively than in 2012.   Key stage 2 results are also improving and the percentage of pupils reaching or exceeding the expected standard in reading at the end of primary school increased by three percentage points from 2013, to 89%.   For pupils who do not reach the expected level in reading by the end of primary school, we have introduced the Year 7 literacy and numeracy Catch-up Premium. This funding – £500 per pupil – enables secondary schools to deliver additional support for those pupils that most need it.   We believe these measures are the best way to tackle low levels of childhood literacy in all parts of the country including Cumbria and Copeland.   Qualifications have also been reformed and the new English language GCSE, which will be taught from September, has more emphasis on those skills demanded by employers. 20% of marks are now given for accurate and fluent use of spelling, punctuation and grammar.   Young people who do not achieve grade C or above in their English GCSE by the age of 16 are now required to continue to study those subjects. From August 2015, all 16-19 full-time students who have a grade D in their English GCSE will be expected to retake the exam as part of their college course. The government’s traineeships programme for young people also puts English at its core, alongside work preparation and work experience. All apprentices without a good GCSE or equivalent in English are now required to work towards one as part of the programme. This government also fully funds all adults to achieve an English GCSE if they have not yet achieved this qualification.

Social Workers: Sick Leave

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the average sickness absence rate is for local authority child protection social workers in each of the last five years.

Edward Timpson: The sickness absence rates for all children’s social workers in England can be found online here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-childrens-social-care-workforce Data is only available for the last two years.

Pupils: Wales

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many children with a postal address in Wales attended a school in England in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Nick Gibb: The information requested is published in the ‘Schools, pupils and characteristics: January 2015’ statistical first release, tables 14a to 14c, which is available at: www.gov.uk/government/statistics/schools-pupils-and-their-characteristics-january-2015

Ministry of Justice

Crime

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many (a) murders, (b) burglaries, (c) rapes and (d) sex offences against children were committed in the latest year for which information is available; and how many and what proportion of those offences were committed by individuals who were on bail at the time.

Andrew Selous: This table shows the number of specific offences that were committed in England and Wales in 2014 and the proportion of these offences which were committed by individuals who were on bail.Table 1: The number of offences1 resulting in a caution, reprimand, warning or conviction, the number of these offences that were committed on bail2, and the percentage of these offfences committed on bail in England and Wales, 2010 and 2014   Total number of cautions and convictions for selected offences20102014  Burglary36,907 27,498  Murder382 351  Rape2,804 3,123  Sex offences against children6,465 7,313  Of which the number of offences committed on bail   Burglary7,221 3,634  Murder41 21  Rape129 57  Sex offences against children208 128  Percentages of offences committed on bail   Burglary2013 Murder116 Rape52 Sex offences against Children32  Source: Ministry of Justice, Police National Computer (PNC)1.Figures are based on counting the number of offences resulting in a conviction or caution committed by offenders who were prosecuted by police forces in England and Wales including the British Transport Police. 2. The figures included in this table includes all types of bail, including police bail (prior to first court appearance), and court bail (both magistrates and crown court). For further information regarding bail please see the Court Proceedings section of Criminal Justice Statistics publication: http://www.justice.gov.uk/statistics/criminal-justice/criminal-justice-statistics3. All data have been taken from the MoJ extract of the Police National Computer. This includes details of all convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings given for recordable offences (see www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2000/1139/schedule/made for definition).4. Extreme care should be taken when interpreting these figures. Information held centrally by the Ministry of Justice regarding offences committed on bail is known to have inaccuracies and does not necessarily represent all the facts in each individual case. There is no mandatory requirement for information in relation to offences committed whilst an individual is on bail to be recorded on the PNC, as police forces will use local systems to manage the defendant population on bail in their jurisdiction.

Bail

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many (a) offences were committed by offenders on bail and (b) offenders committed offences whilst on bail in the latest year for which information is available.

Andrew Selous: These tables show (i) the number of offences for which offenders were convicted whilst on bail in England and Wales in 2014 and (ii) the number of offenders convicted of an offence whilst on bail in England and Wales in 2014.Table 1: Total number of offences1 for which offenders were convicted2 which were committed while on bail, in England and Wales, 2010 and 2014 All convictions  20102014Total155,39884,019Source: Ministry of Justice, Police National Computer (PNC)1. All data have been taken from the MoJ extract of the Police National Computer. This includes details of all convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings given for recordable offences (see www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2000/1139/schedule/made for definition).2. Figures are based on counting all occasions where an offender was given a conviction for an offence whilst on bail and prosecuted by the police forces in England and Wales including the British Transport Police. If an offender has more than one occasion in 2014 then each occasion will be included in the table.3. Extreme care should be taken when interpreting these figures. Information held centrally by the Ministry of Justice regarding offences committed on bail is known to have inaccuracies and does not necessarily represent all the facts in each individual case. There is no mandatory requirement for information in relation to offences committed whilst an individual is on bail to be recorded on the PNC, as police forces will use local systems to manage the defendant population on bail in their jurisdiction.  Table 2: Total number of offenders convicted1 of an offence2 committed while on bail in England and Wales, 2010 and 2014 All convictions   20152014Total69,34836,035Source: Ministry of Justice, Police National Computer (PNC)1. Figures are based on counting all occasions where an offender was given a conviction for an offence whilst on bail and prosecuted by the police forces in England and Wales including the British Transport Police. If an offender has more than one occasion in 2014 then each occasion will be included in the table. 2. All data have been taken from the MoJ extract of the Police National Computer. This includes details of all convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings given for recordable offences (see www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2000/1139/schedule/made for definition).3. Extreme care should be taken when interpreting these figures. Information held centrally by the Ministry of Justice regarding offences committed on bail is known to have inaccuracies and does not necessarily represent all the facts in each individual case. There is no mandatory requirement for information in relation to offences committed whilst an individual is on bail to be recorded on the PNC, as police forces will use local systems to manage the defendant population on bail in their jurisdiction.

Bail: West Yorkshire

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many (a) offences in West Yorkshire were committed by offenders on bail and (b) offenders in West Yorkshire committed offences whilst on bail during the most recent year for which information is available.

Andrew Selous: These tables show (i) the number of offences for which offenders were convicted whilst on bail in West Yorkshire in 2014 and (ii) the number of offenders convicted of an offence whilst on bail in West Yorkshire in 2014.Table 1: Total number of offences1 for which offenders were convicted2 which were committed while on bail, West Yorkshire Police Force3, 2010 and 2014   All convictions  20102014Total10,881233Source: Ministry of Justice, Police National Computer (PNC) 1. All data have been taken from the MoJ extract of the Police National Computer. This includes details of all convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings given for recordable offences (see www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2000/1139/schedule/made for definition).2. Figures are based on counting all occasions where an offender was given a conviction for an offence whilst on bail and prosecuted by the police forces in England and Wales including the British Transport Police. If an offender has more than one occasion in 2014 then each occasion will be included in the table. 3. West Yorkshire Police Force prosecuted the offender, however the offence could have been committed in another area and/or the offender could reside in another area.4. Extreme care should be taken when interpreting these figures. Information held centrally by the Ministry of Justice regarding offences committed on bail is known to have inaccuracies and does not necessarily represent all the facts in each individual case. There is no mandatory requirement for information in relation to offences committed whilst an individual is on bail to be recorded on the PNC, as police forces will use local systems to manage the defendant population on bail in their jurisdiction. Table 2: Total number of offenders convicted1 of an offence2 committed while on bail, West Yorkshire Police Force3, 2010 and 2014  All convictions  20102014Total4,86460Source: Ministry of Justice, Police National Computer (PNC)1. Figures are based on counting all occasions where an offender was given a conviction for an offence whilst on bail and prosecuted by the police forces in England and Wales including the British Transport Police. If an offender has more than one occasion in 2014 then each occasion will be included in the table. 2. All data have been taken from the MoJ extract of the Police National Computer. This includes details of all convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings given for recordable offences (see www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2000/1139/schedule/made for definition).3. West Yorkshire Police Force prosecuted the offender, however the offence could have been committed in another area and/or the offender could reside in another area.4. Extreme care should be taken when interpreting these figures. Information held centrally by the Ministry of Justice regarding offences committed on bail is known to have inaccuracies and does not necessarily represent all the facts in each individual case. There is no mandatory requirement for information in relation to offences committed whilst an individual is on bail to be recorded on the PNC, as police forces will use local systems to manage the defendant population on bail in their jurisdiction.

Offenders: Deportation

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent information he holds on the number of states party to the European Convention on Human Rights whose prisons breach any term of that convention; and what recent assessment he has made of the effect of such breaches on the deportation of people from the UK to prisons in (a) EU and (b) non-EU countries.

Dominic Raab: I refer to the answer to PQ 3772 - the MoJ does not hold information on the number of states party to the European Convention on Human Rights whose prisons breach any term of the Convention. However, information on states party to the European Convention on Human Rights, whose prisons have caused them to be found to be in violation of the Convention by the European Court of Human Rights, can be found on the Court’s searchable database at:http://hudoc.echr.coe.int/sites/eng/Pages/search.aspx#{%22documentcollectionid2%22:[%22GRANDCHAMBER%22,%22CHAMBER%22]}Where the European Court of Human Rights has ruled that poor prison conditions in a state party to the Convention breach the requirements of the Convention, the government would seek to find a way to enable the transfer to take place through assurances or other measures to address that issue. We have not yet had to seek such an assurance nor have we refused a transfer based on the grounds that prison conditions breach article 3.

Coroners: Perinatal Mortality

Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, which coronial jurisdictions have recorded stillbirth conclusions in each year since 2009.

Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps the Chief Coroner is planning to take to improve consistency and good practice in relation to neonatal deaths.

Caroline Dinenage: The Chief Coroner is working towards improving consistency across coroner areas in England and Wales by providing written advice and guidance to coroners amongst other matters. He will consider in due course whether to issue guidance on good practice in relation to neonatal deaths to all coroners.The number of coroner areas with stillborn inquest conclusions recorded from 2009 to 2014 is published in the department's annual coroner statistics: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/427440/coroners-statistics-2014-csv.csv.Coroner areas with stillborn inquest conclusions recorded: 2009-2014Coroner AreaNumber of stillborn inquest conclusions200920102011201220132014Avon--31--Birmingham and Solihull--31--Black Country--3---Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley-1--1-Brighton and Hove--11--Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan-----1Central Hampshire----1-Cheshire1-----Cornwall-11---Coventry----1-Darlington and South Durham1-1--....East Riding and Hull1----1Gwent-1----Inner North London----3-Leicester City and South Leicestershire---1--Liverpool---23-Manchester City--1111Manchester North-----1Milton Keynes--11--North and West Cumbria1-----North Durham11--1....North East Kent-1----North London-2----Plymouth and South West Devon21---....Preston and West Lancashire---11-South and East Cumbria1-----South London-----1Southampton and New Forest----1-Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire-11---Suffolk---1--Swansea and Neath Port Talbot3........-1Wolverhampton41--......   Source:  Coroner's annual returns Notes:  1. Amalgamated with "North Durham" in 2012, now known as "County Durham and Darlington" 2. Amalgamated with "Torbay and South Devon" in 2013, now known as "Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon"3. Amalgamation of "Neath and Port Talbot" and "City and County of Swansea" in 2013  4. Amalgamated with "Black Country" in 2013, now known as "Black Country"   .. = No Data Available  - = Nil  Data can be found on CSV files accompanying the Coroners Statistics publication https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/427440/coroners-statistics-2014-csv.csv

Post-mortems

Imran Hussain: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the availability and provision of non-invasive post-mortems.

Caroline Dinenage: The Ministry of Justice has responsibility for coroner law and policy only. Individual local authorities have operational responsibility for coroner services and therefore the provision of facilities for less invasive post mortem examinations is a matter for them. I am, however, aware of the requirements of faith communities to preserve a body after death and the Chief Coroner has issued guidance to coroners on the use of less invasive post mortem examination techniques. I am working with the Chief Coroner to make sure that bereaved people are at the very heart of the coroner system and that services are there to help the whole community. My department’s review of the implementation of the July 2013 coroner reforms will specifically cover post mortem examinations.

Offences against Children: Sentencing

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans he has to review sentencing policy for sexual offences against children.

Andrew Selous: All sexual offences are abhorrent and the most serious offences carry severe maximum penalties. Rape and assault by penetration have a maximum penalty of a life sentence and there is a range of other sexual offences which have a maximum penalty of up to 14 years’ custody. There is an automatic life sentence for a second very serious sexual, or violent, offence, and all dangerous offenders and child rapists are now subject to discretionary release (rather than automatic release) prior to the end of their custodial term. Sentencing in individual cases is a matter for our independent courts, which must follow sentencing guidelines issued by the independent Sentencing Council. The Council issued a new sentencing guideline on sexual offences effective from April 2014, following full public consultation. As well as physical harm, the approach in the new guideline reflects more fully the psychological and longer term effects on the victim, enabling courts to take into account the true extent of what the victim has been through. The latest criminal justice statistics show that prosecutions and convictions for sexual offences are the highest in the decade (a nine per cent and ten per cent increase respectively in the latest year). Additionally, the average custodial sentence length for offenders convicted of sexual offences was 62 months, which is a rise of 2.9 months in the latest year and an increase of 13 months since 2010.

National Offender Management Service

Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what projection he has made of the financial savings NOMS will make in (a) 2015-16 and (b) each of the next three years.

Andrew Selous: Between 2011/12 and 2014/15 NOMS has delivered savings of £898m. The NOMS saving target for 2015/16 is £91m. The financial savings for the next three years will be determined by the Spending Review (SR15) led by HM Treasury.

Fines

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many fines have been (a) issued by courts and (b) collected in the most recent 12 months for which records are available.

Mr Shailesh Vara: This Government takes recovery and enforcement of financial impositions very seriously and remains committed to finding new ways to ensure impositions are paid and to trace those who do not pay. This is why there has been a year on year increase in the total amount of financial penalties collected over the last four years. The amount of money collected has risen from £259m to a record of £310 million at the end of 2014/15. This is an increase of £20m (7%) in cash collection of financial impositions (excluding confiscation) compared to that collected in 2013/14. The number of financial imposition accounts opened and closed since 2012 is published here: (https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/criminal-court-statistics-quarterly-january-to-march-2015) Financial impositions include fines imposed in the Magistrates and Crown courts, costs orders, compensation orders, victim surcharge orders and unpaid fixed penalty notices and penalty notices for disorder which are registered as fines for enforcement.

Prisoners

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the (a) ethnic background and (b) gender was of people serving custodial sentences in each year since 2010.

Andrew Selous: Figures for the prison population by ethnicity and gender are published and are available from the following link: The Offender Management Statistics Quarterly publication includes a time series on the gender of the sentenced prison population and on the ethnicity of the combined sentenced and unsentenced prison population . Table A1.1 at the link below gives gender figures from June 2010 to June 2014 and table A1.7 by ethnic group: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/339036/prison-population-2014.xlsThe latest figures to March 2015, are available in Table 1.1 and 1.7 at the link below:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/424896/prison-population-q1-2015.xlsx

Bill of Rights

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, on what date he plans to launch the Government's consultation on introducing a British Bill of Rights.

Dominic Raab: The Government will consult fully on its proposals for a Bill of Rights during this session.

Leader of the House

Palace of Westminster: Repairs and Maintenance

Harry Harpham: To ask the Leader of the House, what assessment he has made of the proposals for the restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster.

Chris Grayling: We intend to establish a Joint Committee of Parliament on the Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of Westminster. I expect this to be established before the summer recess. The Committee will be co-chaired by the Leaders of both Houses and will consider the Independent Options Appraisal Report, which was published on 18 June 2015, and related evidence and to make recommendations to both Houses on a way forward, taking account of costs, benefits, risks and potential timescales.

English Votes for English Laws

Dr Paul Monaghan: To ask the Leader of the House, what assessment he has made of the compatibility of his proposal to introduce English votes on English laws with the Union with England Act 1707; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: The Union with Scotland Act 1706 and the Union with England Act 1707 provide that the United Kingdom of Great Britain shall be represented by one Parliament. I am satisfied that the proposal to introduce English votes on English laws is compatible with this legislation. Parliament will remain the Parliament of the United Kingdom, and all Members will be entitled to debate and vote on all legislation.

English Votes for English Laws: Northern Ireland

Lady Hermon: To ask the Leader of the House, what steps he has taken to consult the (a) First Minister and (b) Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland on proposed changes to rules on English votes on English laws; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: The proposals have been published and will be put to the House of Commons for a decision after the summer recess. As the proposals relate to House of Commons procedure it is for the House to approve them. Although no direct consultation has taken place with the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland the proposals have been published, and ahead of the decision of the House on them it is open to all with an interest to consider them and to make any representations.

English Votes for English Laws: Northern Ireland

Lady Hermon: To ask the Leader of the House, what steps he has taken to consult the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly on the proposed changes to Standing Orders governing English votes on English laws; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: The proposals have been published and will be put to the House of Commons for a decision after the summer recess. As the proposals relate to House of Commons procedure it is for the House to approve them. Although no direct consultation has taken place with the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly the proposals have been published, and ahead of the decision of the House on them it is open to all with an interest to consider them and to make any representations.

Ministry of Defence

USA: Guided Weapons

Brendan O'Hara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with his US counterpart on hosting intermediate range missiles.

Michael Fallon: None.

Trident: Expenditure

Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what amount was spent on the Trident nuclear weapons system as a proportion of UK GDP (a) across the lifetime of that system and (b) in each year of the Trident programme for which estimates for that spending have been made.

Michael Fallon: In line with the December 2006 White Paper, 'the Future of the UK's Nuclear Deterrent' (Cm 6994), we estimate the in-service costs of the deterrent are around 6% of the annual Defence budget.

USA: Military Bases

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the US has sought permission from his Department to use US bases in the UK in connection with airstrikes in (a) Libya, (b) any other country in North Africa and (c) Yemen.

Penny Mordaunt: Permission must be sought in advance of any operation launched from a UK base and must satisfy our legal requirements, but it is not our general policy to give information on the detail of operations conducted by other nations.

Afghanistan: Armed Conflict

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 1 June 2015 to Question 160 on Afghanistan: armed conflict, if his Department will seek permission from partners to place the report in the Library, redacted as necessary; and whether his Department has commissioned or undertaken any other post-Afghanistan review.

Penny Mordaunt: I can confirm that, following consideration of any operational sensitivities for the UK or partners, we will consult with the US Navy on the potential placement of a redacted version of this report in the Library.No decisions have yet been taken by the Government on a wider post-Afghanistan review. We remain focused on supporting the National Unity Government of Afghanistan as part of NATO's Resolute Support Mission.

Iraq: Armed Conflict

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what methodology his Department uses to assess levels of collateral damage from airstrikes in Iraq.

Penny Mordaunt: The Ministry of Defence follows well established doctrine that sets out the process for considering collateral damage before and after airstrikes. All UK airstrikes are conducted in accordance with Rules of Engagement and International Humanitarian Law. Targets are selected with the utmost care, the risks of collateral damage or civilian casualties are assessed and mitigated based on intelligence and the use of precision guided weapons.

Nigeria

Brendan O'Hara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many short-term training teams have been deployed to Nigeria to assist in tackling Boko Haram; and how many permanent UK military personnel are based in that country.

Penny Mordaunt: Since the London Ministerial summit on Nigeria in June 2014, the Ministry of Defence has deployed 16 short term training teams to Nigeria to assist the Nigerian armed forces. Currently nine UK military personnel are permanently deployed within the British High Commission, in the Defence Section and the British Military Advisory and Training Team. We also have a small team deployed within the international Intelligence fusion cell in Abuja working alongside Nigerian and international partners.

Kurds: Military Aid

Brendan O'Hara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what military equipment his Department has supplied to the Kurdish Peshmerga since 22 June 2015.

Michael Fallon: On 22 June 2015 (Official Report, column 13WS) I informed the House that we were gifting additional medical supplies to the Peshmerga. This equipment includes tourniquets, bandage kits and dressings for wounds. No other military equipment has been supplied since that date.Previously, we have gifted 50 tonnes of non-lethal support, 40 heavy machine guns and nearly half a million rounds of ammunition to the Kurdish Peshmerga.



Hansard Extract
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Veterans: Military Decorations

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what representations he is making to the French government on awarding the Legion d'Honneur to D-Day veterans.

Mark Lancaster: Following President Hollande's extremely generous offer in respect of awarding the Legion d'Honneur to veterans of the campaigns to liberate France, UK officials, both in London and at the Embassy in Paris, are engaging closely with their French colleagues in order that the process may be operated as quickly and as smoothly as possible.

Unmanned Air Vehicles

Mr David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what psychological (a) assessment and (b) support his Department offers to the operators of UK Reaper Squadrons 39 and 13.

Penny Mordaunt: The Ministry of Defence takes seriously the psychological and physical health of all Armed Forces personnel. The RAF Reaper remotely piloted air systems force, alongside other frontline forces, has robust trauma risk management strategies in place to ensure this is continually monitored. Should psychological or physical care be required, the RAF medical services are fully engaged to provide the required level of support to the individual.

Unmanned Air Vehicles and Unmanned Marine Vehicles

Mr David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department plans to produce a new joint doctrinal note or joint concept note on the UK approach to unmanned vehicles.

Penny Mordaunt: The Ministry of Defence (MOD)'s Joint Doctrine Note (JDN) 2/11 "The UK Approach to Unmanned Aircraft Systems" was published on 30 March 2011. The principles contained within the note apply to systems and vehicles operating at sea and on land.It is MOD policy that Joint Doctrine Notes remain valid for a limited period to inform future doctrine and concept publications. Work is under way to reflect and update the ideas contained within JDN 2/11 within new concepts and doctrine publications that are currently in production; at which point the note will be withdrawn. We expect this to be in the summer of 2016.There are currently no plans to produce a new Joint Doctrine or Concept Note specifically on the UK approach to unmanned vehicles; however, the MOD reserves the right to do so in the future should the need arise.

Unmanned Air Vehicles

Mr David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has undertaken or commissioned any assessment of the psychological effect of using unmanned air vehicles.

Penny Mordaunt: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) takes seriously the mental health of all members of the Armed Forces. The RAF Stress Management and Resilience Training Team has delivered stress awareness briefs to units operating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), to give personnel awareness of the subject and make them aware of the wide range of assistance and treatment that is available.While the particular stressors of their work are recognised, an assessment of the referral figures for MOD Departments of Community Mental Health from 2009-13 indicated that UAV pilots were no more likely to present with any form of mental health condition than the general Armed Forces population.

Department for Work and Pensions

Work Programme

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department takes to ensure Work Programme providers adhere to safeguarding guidance for vulnerable claimants; and what penalties his Department has in place to apply against those providers who do not follow that guidance.

Priti Patel: We have developed guidance on safeguarding vulnerable claimants and continuously review and update it to provide clarity to providers in this important area. The Department’s performance managers work closely with providers to ensure they adhere to the guidance and take action if necessary.

Children: Poverty

Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many children were in (a) relative and (b) absolute poverty in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

Priti Patel: Estimates of the number and proportion of children in relative and absolute low-income are published in the National Statistics Households Below Average Income (HBAI) series. Analysis by region and country is presented as three-year averages as single-year estimates are considered too volatile. Figures are presented in financial year estimates and are available up to 2013/14. The latest publication is available at the link below: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/households-below-average-income-19941995-to-20132014

Child Poverty Act 2010: Northern Ireland

Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive about legislation to replace the Child Poverty Act 2010.

Priti Patel: Legislation to amend the Child Poverty Act was introduced into Parliament on 9 July as part of the Welfare Reform and Work Bill. On [9 July] the Secretaries of State for Work and Pensions and for Education wrote to the Northern Ireland Executive setting out the proposed legislation and inviting Northern Ireland Ministers to work with them on the provisions as they apply to Northern Ireland.

Social Security Benefits: Disqualification

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he plans to publish data on deaths which have occurred following a benefit sanction.

Priti Patel: I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the answer given on the 11 December 2014 to Question UIN 217571

Social Security Benefits

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 3 July 2015 to Question 4698, on social security benefits, what estimate he has made of the cost of providing the information requested in that Question.

Justin Tomlinson: The information requested on the numbers of households who have moved off the benefit cap and into full-time and part-time work is not recorded on the Department’s analytical dataset and is therefore not available for analysis. Information on Working Tax Credit claims (which is used to determine if a previously capped household has moved into work) is recorded on the Department’s administrative data. However, information on the nature of work (full-time or part-time) is not readily available and to provide an answer would require additional processing and quality assurance, which would incur disproportionate costs, estimated at more than 5 days work and will therefore be in excess of £850.

Housing Benefit

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 3 July 2015 to Question 4699, on housing benefit, what estimate he has made of the cost of providing the information requested in that Question.

Justin Tomlinson: The information requested on the number of households who are no longer subject to the benefit cap and are still in receipt of Housing Benefit is not recorded on the dataset available for analysis and therefore is not available. Information on the individual benefits received by households that has flowed off the benefit cap is recorded on the Department’s administrative data. However, this information is not readily available and to provide an answer would require additional processing and quality assurance, which would incur disproportionate costs, estimated at more than 5 days work and will therefore be in excess of £850.

Social Security Benefits

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 3 July 2015 to Question 4592, on social security benefits, what estimate he has made of the cost of providing the information requested in that Question.

Justin Tomlinson: The information requested on households affected by the benefit cap since April 2013 whilst living in temporary accommodation in which they have been placed by a local authority is not recorded on the Department’s analytical dataset and therefore is not available for analysis. Information on households subject to the benefit cap that are living in temporary accommodation is recorded on the Department’s administrative data. However, this information is grouped with other housing types in the analytical dataset used for the routine publication of benefit cap statistics, and therefore, is not readily available. To provide an answer would require additional processing and quality assurance, which would incur disproportionate costs, estimated at more than 5 days work and will therefore be in excess of £850.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Stuart Blair Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people who were claiming income support moved to jobseeker's allowance in (a) Scotland and (b) the UK in each month since August 2014.

Priti Patel: The information requested is not readily available, and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Stuart Blair Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people who were claiming employment and support allowance in the work-related activity group category moved to jobseeker's allowance in (a) Scotland and (b) the UK in each month since August 2014.

Stuart Blair Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people who were claiming employment support allowance moved to jobseeker's allowance in (a) Scotland and (b) the UK in each month since August 2014.

Priti Patel: The information requested is not readily available, and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Social Security Benefits

Stuart Blair Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people moved off (a) income support, (b) jobseeker's allowance and (c) both categories of employment support allowance in (i) Scotland and (ii) the UK since August 2014; and how many such people moved into work.

Priti Patel: The available information regarding the number of off-flows from Income Support (IS) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), by phase of claim for ESA, for Scotland and Great Britain is published at:http://tabulation-tool.dwp.gov.uk/flows/flows_off/tabtool.html In respect of (IS) and (ESA), Information for Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the Department for Social Development. Northern Ireland statistics can be found at:http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/index/stats_and_research/benefit_publications.htm The available information which shows the number of off-flows from the Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) claimant count, for Scotland and the United Kingdom can be found at:https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/default.asp Guidance for users can be found at:https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/home/newuser.asp The information requested for those moving off benefits into work is not readily available, and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Housing Benefit

Nadhim Zahawi: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what information his Department holds on (a) the proportion of Discretionary Housing Payment funding spent by each local authority, (b) how many and which local authorities returned such funding allocated to them, (c) how much funding each such local authority returned and (d) what the average amount of such funding was which was returned in each of the last three years.

Justin Tomlinson: The information held by the Department on the proportion of Discretionary Housing Payment funding spent and returned by each local authority and the average amount of funding returned in the last three years is provided in the table which I will place in the House library.

Universal Credit: Ogmore

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will estimate the number of 18 to 21 year olds in Ogmore constituency after April 2017 who will be unemployed and who will not be entitled to claim the housing element of universal credit.

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in Ogmore constituency are eligible for universal credit; and if he will estimate how many such people will not be eligible for universal credit in 2020 as a result of measures announced in the Summer Budget 2015.

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of universal credit claims were made online in the last 12 months; how many universal claims are pending; and how many universal credit claims are in payment.

Priti Patel: The information requested is not available. The Department published its strategy for releasing official statistics on Universal Credit (UC) in September 2013. As outlined in the strategy, officials are currently quality assuring data for UC therefore it is not yet possible to give a definitive list of what statistics will be provided in the future. These statistics however will be published in accordance with the relevant protocols in the Code of Practice for official statistics. The latest official experimental statistics on UC and the Departments release strategy can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/universal-credit-statistics

Employment and Support Allowance: Disability

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the effect of the removal of the work-related activity component of employment and support allowance on disabled people.

Priti Patel: The Government will set out its assessment of the impacts of the policies in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill in due course.

Social Security Benefits

Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if his Department will publish statistics on the number of deaths of benefit claimants whose payments have been stopped in (a) England, (b) Cumbria and (c) Copeland constituency in each of the last five years.

Priti Patel: I refer my hon. Member to the answer given on the 11 December 2014 to Question UIN 217571

Social Security Benefits

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 9 July 2015 to Question 5753, how many applications for Short Term Benefit Advance in 2014 were rejected; and for what reasons such applications were rejected.

Priti Patel: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Welfare Reform and Work Bill

Mr Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, which provisions in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill apply (a) only to British citizens resident in the UK, (b) EU citizens resident in the UK and (c) any person with an entitlement to work in the UK.

Priti Patel: Provisions in the Bill relating to benefit measures will apply to anyone in receipt of those benefits. Entitlement to income-related benefits, Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit depends first on the claimant having a legal right to reside in the UK and then whether that right enables a claimant to access such support. In addition, persons subject to immigration control (including persons with permission to work in the UK) are generally not entitled to non-contributory benefits, Child Benefit and tax credits. The reductions in social housing rents will apply to current or future tenants of social housing in England (with some exceptions provided for in clause20 of the Welfare Reform and Work Bill) regardless of citizenship, immigration status, or entitlement to work in the UK.

Social Security Benefits: Children

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of children affected by the reduction of the benefit cap to £20,000 per year outside London.

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many households in Hull local authority area he forecasts will be affected by the lowering of the benefits cap.

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of households affected by the reduction of the benefit cap to £20,000 per year outside London.

Justin Tomlinson: The Government will set out its assessment of the impacts of the policies in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill in due course.

Universal Credit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the effect on single parent employment rates announced in the Summer Budget 2015 to the conditionality applied to universal credit claimants with children aged three or over.

Priti Patel: The Government will set out its assessment of the impacts of the policies in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill in due course.

Social Security Benefits: Children

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the effect on levels of (a) child and (b) working age poverty of limiting the child element in tax credits and universal credit to two children.

Priti Patel: The Government will set out its assessment of the impacts of the policies in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill in due course.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the effect on levels of (a) child and (b) working age poverty of the alignment of the employment and support allowance work-related activity group rate to jobseeker's allowance.

Priti Patel: The Government will set out its assessment of the impacts of the policies in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill in due course.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Butterflies: Conservation

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to improve habitats for butterflies.

Rory Stewart: In England, we will take forward our manifesto commitment to produce a 25 year strategy for the environment, which will include biodiversity. Our approach will be designed to meet the habitat needs of many species including butterflies. In England’s National Pollinator Strategy we are aiming to expand flower rich habitats across different types of land to benefit pollinators including butterflies.   The England network of protected areas provides benefits for many species even when those areas are not specifically designated for the conservation of those particular species. This network includes local and national sites protected under domestic legislation and international sites protected under European and International law. Some of these sites are specifically designated for species of particular importance, including the marsh fritillary butterfly, which is a notified feature of a number of Special Areas of Conservation, designated under the Habitats Directive   Agri-environment schemes play a major role in the conservation of butterflies in England. For instance, across grassland habitats in Dorset, between 1990 and 2010 the marsh fritillary increased in abundance by around 278% on land managed under these schemes.   In the summer of 2014 the critically endangered high brown fritillary experienced its best season since 2004 with numbers increasing by more than 180% as compared to 2013 across Dartmoor, Exmoor, and Morecambe Bay in Lancashire and sites in the Lake District.   The Wild Pollinator and Farm Wildlife Package in the new Countryside Stewardship scheme contain options to improve habitats and provide nectar sources for butterflies. It will play a key role in supporting the National Pollinator Strategy.

Biodiversity

Mr Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what consultations she plans to undertake with (a) other departments and (b) other bodies and people on the development of a 25-year plan to restore the UK's biodiversity.

Mr Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what process the Government plans to establish to develop a 25-year plan to restore the UK's biodiversity; and when she expects to publish that plan.

Rory Stewart: The Government is currently developing the framework that will guide the development of the 25 year environment plan. This is being led by Defra and will have ongoing input from other Government Departments. There will also be engagement with those with an interest in the health of the natural environment.

Whales: Japan

Ian Paisley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Government is taking in addition to its work at the International Whaling Commission to discourage Japan from resuming Antarctic whaling.

George Eustice: The UK Government raises its opposition to Japan’s whaling under special permit for ‘scientific purposes’ at every appropriate opportunity.   Most recently, the UK Commissioner to the International Whaling Commission (IWC) reiterated the Government’s concerns in relation to Japan’s proposal to resume whaling in the Antarctic at a meeting with the Japanese Commissioner to the IWC in May 2015, and officials from the Japanese Embassy in March 2015. Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Japan and I, as the then Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Farming, Food and Marine Environment, have also both written to the Japanese Government on this issue.   Also quite recently, at the meeting of the Scientific Committee, which advises the IWC, members of the UK’s scientific delegation were proactively involved in discussions surrounding the validity of Japan’s proposed Antarctic Whaling Programme.

Animal Welfare: Convictions

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many convictions there have been for animal neglect and cruelty in (a) 2014 and (b) 2015 to date.

George Eustice: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Lord Black of Brentwood on 3 July 2015. PQ UIN HL795 listed the number of offenders found guilty of animal neglect and cruelty (which is prosecuted under Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006) in England and Wales as a whole in 2014:   The number of prosecutions for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal under section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 for each of the last five years, for which records are available, can be viewed in the table below. Centrally held statistics do not record the species of animal involved.   Defendants proceeded against at magistrates' court and found guilty at all courts for offences relating to causing, permitting or failing to prevent unnecessary suffering(1), England & Wales, 2010-2014(2)(3) OffenceOutcome20102011201220132014 Causing, permitting or failing to prevent unnecessary sufferingProceeded against1,0771,2771,3851,2661,016Found Guilty8561,0101,1011,006800 (1) An offence under SS4(1) & 32(1) and 4(2) & 32(1) Animal Welfare Act 2006, which came into force on 6 April 2007. (2) The figures given in the table relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (3) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services - Ministry of Justice.   Criminal Justice statistics for 2015, including those found guilty of offences under Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 are planned for publication in May 2016.

Animal Welfare Act 2006

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many prison sentences awarded to people convicted of offences under section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 in (a) England and (b) Wales were for (i) one month, (ii) two, (iii) three, (iv) four, (v) five and (vi) six months in each year since 2010; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many prison sentences were handed down for offences under (a) section 4 and (b) section 8 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 in (i) England and (ii) Wales in each year since 2010; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many successful prosecutions there have been for offences under (a) section 4 and (b) section 8 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 in (i) England and (ii) Wales in each year since 2010; and if she will make a statement.

George Eustice: The information requested is available in the attached table.



Defendants proceeded against at Magistrates Court
(PDF Document, 120.38 KB)

Home Office

Islamic State: British Nationals Abroad

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she last had discussions with the governments of (a) Turkey and (b) Cyprus on the prevention of vulnerable individuals travelling to fight for Daesh is Iraq and Syria.

Mr John Hayes: Holding answer received on 09 July 2015



Home Office Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of international partners, as well as organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors, as part of the process of policy development and delivery. Details of these meetings are published on the Cabinet Office website on a quarterly basis.

Human Rights: Surveillance

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will instigate an inquiry into how and for what reasons human rights organisations have been subject to unlawful surveillance by the Government.

Mr John Hayes: The Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) on 22 June 2015 made findings in favour of two Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) due to procedural errors in the implementation of GCHQ’s internal policies. GCHQ is working to rectify the technical errors identified by this case and constantly reviews its processes to identify and make improvements.It said in its judgment that any interception was lawful, necessary and proportionate. Caution should be exercised against drawing conclusions from the IPT’s ruling about the target of any such interception that may have taken place.A finding in favour of an individual or organisation does not necessarily mean that they themselves were the target; it could equally mean that they were simply in communication with a target. However I can neither confirm nor deny specifics relating to this or any other case.

Amnesty International: Surveillance

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the communications of Amnesty International have been intercepted (a) with or (b) without her authorisation.

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the communications of human rights charities, other than Amnesty International, have been intercepted in the UK; and if she will make a statement.

Mr John Hayes: It is the longstanding policy of successive British governments not to comment on intelligence matters. However, as the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) said in its judgment of 22 June 2015 that any interception that occurred was lawful, necessary and proportionate.While the IPT has found in favour of two Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), it has made clear that neither of the NGOs suffered material detriment, damage or prejudice as a result of the breaches.Caution should be exercised against drawing conclusions from the IPT’s ruling about the target of any such interception that may have taken place. A finding in favour of an individual or organisation does not necessarily mean that they themselves were the target; it could equally mean that they were simply in communication with a target. However I can neither confirm nor deny specifics relating to this or any other case.

Child Sexual Abuse Independent Panel Inquiry

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Chair of the Independent Panel Inquiry into child sexual abuse will be given access to files held by the intelligence and security services in the course of that inquiry.

Karen Bradley: The Inquiry will have the full co-operation of Government and will have access to all relevant information, including files held by the intelligence and security services.

Fraud: Older People

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the Government is taking to tackle doorstep and telephone scams against vulnerable older people.

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the Government is taking to encourage partnership working between local authorities, police, health and social care and voluntary sector services to address the problem of scams and fraud against more vulnerable older people.

Mike Penning: The Government takes fraud extremely seriously. The Serious and Organised Crime Strategy, published in 2013, places a strong focus on protecting those most at risk. The Home Office works with the City of London Police to help police forces to understand better who is vulnerable to fraud in their areas, and to work with local partners including the voluntary sector to help protect vulnerable people from the threat from fraud. This has included specific targeted activity with the vulnerable and the elderly, for example, a public campaign.The Care Act 2014 also places a new statutory requirement for all local areas to have a Safeguarding Adults Board, comprised of the police, the local authority and Clinical Commissioning Group to protect the most vulnerable in their communities from all forms of harm, including financial harm.We are also working closely with Financial Fraud Action UK and the British Bankers Association who have issued advice to consumers on telephone scams. This includes helping consumers know when they may be a target to these fraudsters, and advice on what information should never be shared, e.g. PIN number.

Gangmasters Licensing Authority

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the planned consultation on the Gangmasters Licensing Authority as set out in clause 55 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 will commence; and if she will make a statement.

Karen Bradley: The Government is considering the future role of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority and a consultation on the labour market enforcement agency will be published in due course.

Fraud: Older People

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment the Government has made of the financial and health effects of doorstep and telephone scams on vulnerable older people.

Mike Penning: There has not been a comprehensive assessment of the overall financial and health effects of fraud. However, Action Fraud assesses the vulnerability of victims based on the financial and health impact of the reported fraud, and provides this information to forces. This enables police forces to make targeted interventions with those most at risk. Action Fraud are currently developing a victim strategy which will provide an enhanced service to all victims of fraud.The Care Act, introduced this year, also places a new statutory requirement for all local areas to have a Safeguarding Adult Board, the police, local authority and Clinical Commissioning Group are the core statutory members of these boards. The Safeguarding Adults Board’s remit is to work to protect people with care and support needs from all forms of harm, including financial harm. Being the victim of fraud can have a serious detrimental effect on health and well-being. The Safeguarding Adult Board are tasked with understanding the situation locally and developing preventative strategies.

Slavery

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Answer of 5 November 2014 to Question 212702, if she will place in the Library the results of the evaluation of the Government's communications campaign to raise awareness of modern slavery in the UK.

Karen Bradley: The modern slavery campaign evaluation report has now been completed and will be published shortly.

Human Trafficking: Children

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has received any referrals to the National Referral Mechanism for child trafficking in relation to a sports visa.

Karen Bradley: We are unable to provide the information requested as it would require a manual review of all referrals and associated records, to establish if an individual entered the UK on a sports visa, which would only be achievable at a disproportionate cost.

Human Trafficking: EU Action

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Answer of 26 February 2015 to Question 224996, if she will place in the Library a copy of the Government's response to the recommendations of the Council of Europe Experts on Action Against Trafficking Report.

Karen Bradley: The previous Government responded to the Council of Europe Experts on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings recommendations on 11 March 2015. I will arrange to have a copy of the response placed in the House Library.

Scotland Office

Scotland Office: Ministerial Policy Advisers

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what the (a) name, (b) responsibilities and (c) pay band is of each of the special advisers in his Department.

David Mundell: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my Rt hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 13 July 2015.

Welfare Tax Credits: Scotland

Harry Harpham: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the effect on claimants in Scotland of changes to working and child tax credits.

David Mundell: I meet with the Chancellor regularly to discuss a wide range of issues. Our changes to working and child tax credits will support our welfare reforms by ensuring that work always pays. Taxpayers should not be asked to subsidise, through the tax credit system, businesses which pay the lowest wages. Instead, we will support people in work through lower taxes and higher wages.

English Votes for English Laws

Dr Paul Monaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the compatibility of proposals to implement English votes on English laws with the Union with England Act 1707; and if he will make a statement.

David Mundell: The Union with Scotland Act 1706 and the Union with England Act 1707 provide that the United Kingdom of Great Britain shall be represented by one Parliament. I am satisfied that the proposal to introduce English votes on English laws is compatible with this legislation. Parliament will remain the Parliament of the United Kingdom, and all Members will be entitled to debate and vote on all legislation.

Immigration Controls: Scotland

Dr Philippa Whitford: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with Ministers in the Scottish Government on the potential effect of the Government's immigration policies on Scotland's higher and further education sectors.

David Mundell: I am in contact with ministerial colleagues from the Home Office on a range of issues, including how we can continue to attract the brightest and the best students from overseas to study in Scotland.

Food Banks: Scotland

Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the Answer of 2 July 2015 to Question 3621, whether he has discussed levels of food bank use in Scotland with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions; and what plans he has to discuss that matter with that Minister in future.

David Mundell: Holding answer received on 13 July 2015



I meet regularly with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions where we discuss a wide range of issues. The DEFRA report: ‘Household Food Security in the UK: A Review of Food Aid’ showed that the food aid landscape is diverse and difficult to document with a number of independent initiatives. I would be happy to meet the honourable Member to discuss these issues, including how the UK and Scottish Governments can work in partnership to respond to them.The All-Party Parliamentary Inquiry into food poverty and hunger also came to a similar conclusion. Their report can be read here:https://feedingbritain.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/food-poverty-feeding-britain-final-2.pdf.

Constituencies: Scotland

Hannah Bardell: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what his policy is on the number of Scottish constituencies in the UK Parliament; and if he will make a statement.

David Mundell: The Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011 provides for the number of constituencies within the United Kingdom to be reduced from 650 to 600 and the Government remains committed to equalising the size of constituencies in order to make votes of more equal value. The Government will outline its plans for constituency boundaries, including those of Scottish constituencies, in due course.

Smith Commission

Kirsty Blackman: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his Answer of 9 July 2015 to Question 5448 on the Smith Commission, for what reasons his Answer did not refer to the independent assessments which were the subject of the Question; and for what reason he has not placed those assessments in the Library.

David Mundell: As I said in my previous answer, I am confident that the Scotland Bill will deliver the Smith Commission agreement in full and will be recognised as doing so. There is no question that the Bill makes very significant transfers of power to the Scottish Parliament in a number of areas and is meeting our commitment to the people of Scotland. It is now for the Scottish Government to tell us how they plan to use the powers which are coming their way.

Welfare Tax Credits: Scotland

Gavin Newlands: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the potential effect of the tax credit changes announced in the Summer Budget 2015 on Scottish families in receipt of full tax credits.

David Mundell: I meet with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions regularly to discuss a wide range of issues. Our changes to working and child tax credits will support our welfare reforms by ensuring that work always pays. Taxpayers should not be asked to subsidise, through the tax credit system, businesses which pay the lowest wages. Instead, we will support people in work through lower taxes and higher wages.

HM Treasury

Treasury: Communication

Louise Haigh: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answers of 4 June 2015 to Questions 192 and 193, whether his Department's director of communications is a Special Adviser or a civil servant.

Harriett Baldwin: The Chancellor’s Spokesperson and head of the Communications team is a civil servant. The full list of Government Special Advisers will be published in due course.

Annuities

James Cartlidge: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of recent annuity reforms on (a) the buy-to-let mortgage market and (b) house prices.

Harriett Baldwin: The new pension flexibilities, which took effect on 6 April, allow people to have greater freedom and choice than ever before in how they spend their retirement savings.   Independent analysis indicates that the majority of pension pots are not large enough to have an impact on either buy to let mortgage approvals, or on house prices.

Tobacco: Excise Duties

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to tackle people who repeatedly sell cigarettes without paying duty.

Damian Hinds: Since 2000, HMRC’s tobacco strategy has reduced the tax gap for cigarettes from 22% in 2000/01 to 10% in 2013/14, and the tax gap for hand-rolling tobacco from 61% to 39%. However, tobacco fraud remains a problem and HMRC works with other enforcement agencies to take action against those who participate in the fraud by smuggling and illegally manufacturing, distributing and selling non-UK duty paid product.   Sanctions against those selling tobacco without payment of duty include seizure of products, and cash, financial penalties and a maximum penalty of seven year’s imprisonment. On prosecution, HMRC can also apply for withdrawal of alcohol licenses and orders prohibiting the use of premises for the sale of tobacco for a period of up to 6 months. Additionally, as a result of coordinated activity with other enforcement agencies such as Trading Standards, the police and Immigration Enforcement officers, action can be taken on wider tobacco offences, such as under-age sales , and alcohol and vehicle licensing and immigration offences.   As reflected in the joint HMRC and Border Force refreshed strategy, ‘Tackling illicit tobacco: from leaf to light’, published on 24 March 2015, we need to get tougher on those involved in tobacco fraud through more effective use of sanctions. We have to deter participation and ensure that we come down harder on those who repeatedly offend.   To this end, the refreshed strategy commits HMRC to working more across government at all points in the supply chain and to maximising the use and impact of all sanctions available. The published strategy also commits HMRC to undertaking an informal consultation in 2015. This will invite views from other departments and enforcement agencies, legitimate business affected by the fraud and public health organisations on how we can increase the effectiveness of existing sanctions and whether we need new sanctions.   The strategy can be accessed on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tackling-illicit-tobacco-from-leaf-to-light

Income Tax: Tax Thresholds

Dr Paul Monaghan: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has undertaken on how the tax reduction for individuals associated with increasing the higher rate tax level threshold will be distributed between the UK's constituent nations.

Mr David Gauke: The government has committed to increasing the personal allowance to £12,500 and the higher rate threshold to £50,000 by the end of the parliament. The Summer Budget announcement set out the first steps the government will take to reach these commitments.   The personal allowance will increase from £10,600 in 2015-16 to £11,000 in 2016-17, and £11,200 in 2017-18. The higher rate threshold will increase from £42,385 to £43,000 and £43,600 respectively.   These changes will cut income tax for over 29 million taxpayers across the UK between now and 16-17. At the constituent nation level, 24.4 million individuals in England, 1.4 million individuals in Wales, 2.5 million individuals in Scotland and nearly 710,000 individuals in Northern Ireland will see a reduction in the amount of income tax paid   By 2016-17, 130,000 individuals will have been taken out of the higher rate of tax, since the start of this parliament. However, it is not possible to produce reliable estimates of income taxpayer numbers taken out of the higher rate tax at the regional level due to greater uncertainties in making these projections.

Treasury: Pay

Owen Thompson: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what bonuses were paid to (a) senior civil servants and (b) special advisers in his Department in each of the last three financial years; and for what reasons those bonuses were paid.

Harriett Baldwin: Treasury Senior Civil Servants (SCS) only receive performance bonuses, which are linked to the annual appraisal system and are paid in the year following the year in which the assessment is made. As part of the government transparency agenda Non-consolidated Performance Related Pay (NCPRP) is published on the Treasury website (.gov.uk).   Since 2010-11 the Government has restricted performance related payments for senior civil servants to the top 25% of performers (from 65% in previous years) They are only paid to reward excellence, for example to recognise and incentivise those responsible for delivering high quality public services and savings to the taxpayer. Pay decisions for non-senior staff are delegated to individual departments, enabling them to tailor reward packages that meet their own workforce and business needs.

Slavery

Paul Blomfield: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Answer of 18 March 2015 to Question 228290, what work his Department's Modern Slavery Strategic Lead has recently completed.

Mr David Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC’s) Modern Slavery Strategic Lead acts as the referral route for suspected cases of modern slavery and coordinates HMRC’s operational activity related to modern slavery.

Energy: VAT

Dr Alan Whitehead: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether it is his policy that there will be no change in the rate of VAT on the home installation of energy saving products for the duration of this Parliament.

Mr David Gauke: The government is considering the full implications of the decision of the European Court of Justice on the application of the VAT reduced rate to the installation of energy saving materials.

Energy: VAT

Dr Alan Whitehead: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether it is his policy to define (a) controls for central heating and hot water systems, (b) draught insulation, (c) solar panels, (d) wind turbines, (e) ground source heat pumps, (f) air source heat pumps, (g) micro combined heat and power units and (h) wood fuelled boilers as items for the purpose of levying a reduced rate of VAT where they are installed in homes.

Mr David Gauke: These items are already eligible for the reduced rate of VAT under UK law.

Treasury: Ministerial Policy Advisers

Stuart Blair Donaldson: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the name, responsibilities and pay band are of each special adviser in his Department.

Harriett Baldwin: I refer the hon. member to the answer given by my Rt Hon.Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 13 July.

Welfare Tax Credits

Gavin Newlands: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the potential effect of the tax credit changes announced in the Summer Budget 2015 on families with two parents who work full-time on minimum wage with (a) two and (b) three or more children.

Gavin Newlands: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the potential effect of the tax credit changes announced in Summer Budget 2015 on lone parent families in which the parent works full time on minimum wage with (a) two and (b) three or more children.

Damian Hinds: The Chancellor of the Exchequer has regular discussions with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on a wide range of topics.   The Government is making changes to Child Tax Credit and Universal Credit which will help put welfare spending on a more sustainable path. The Government wants to move from a low wage, high tax, high welfare society to a higher wage, lower tax, lower welfare society. That means more emphasis on support to hardworking families on low incomes by reducing income tax through increases in the personal allowance and increasing wages, than on topping up low wages through tax credits.   Parents currently on the minimum wage will benefit from the introduction of the National Living Wage from April 2016 which will be set at £7.20 per hour. The Government’s ambition is for the National Living Wage to reach over £9 by 2020. This would equate to a cash rise of £5,200 a year by 2020 for those who are currently working full time on the National Minimum Wage.

International Conference on Financing for Development

Kate Hoey: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will attend the Financing for Development summit in Addis Ababa from 13 to 16 July 2015.

Harriett Baldwin: The Chancellor strongly supports the Financing for Development Agenda, but the proximity to the Budget has meant he cannot attend in person.   The Secretary of State for International Development is heading the UK’s delegation.

Public Expenditure

Mary Creagh: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the amount of planned DEL departmental expenditure for 2015-16 defined as overseas development aid was in each Department in (a) the March and (b) the July 2015 budget.

Greg Hands: The Government remains committed to spending 0.7% of gross national income (GNI) on official development assistance (ODA). Total planned DEL spend in 2015/16 across Government on ODA did not change between March and July budgets. The Government does not publish departmental figures for planned DEL expenditure on ODA. DFID publishes actual ODA spent by departments, of which the latest provisional figures are available for 2014.

Living Wage

Mr Christopher Chope: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his Budget Statement of 8 July 2015, Official Report, column 338, what proportion of the 60,000 jobs that the Office for Budget Responsibility estimates will be lost as a result of the national living wage are forecast to be from (a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) South West England.

Damian Hinds: The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecast 1.1million new jobs will be created over the forecast period. This includes their estimate of the impact of the new living wage. This forecast is not broken down by region. The OBR also estimate the cost to businesses will be 1 per cent and the Budget cut corporation tax to 18% and increased the Employment Allowance

Welfare Tax Credits: Kingston upon Hull

Diana Johnson: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many households in Hull local authority area does he forecast will (a) no longer receive tax credits and (b) receive less tax credits due to the changes announced in the Summer Budget 2015.

Damian Hinds: This information is not available.   Information about the number of benefitting families and average entitlement by region and Parliamentary Constituency in in the tax year 2013-14 can be found in the publication ‘Personal tax credits: Finalised award statistics – geographical statistics 2013-2014’ here:   https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/personal-tax-credits-finalised-award-statistics-geographical-statistics-2013-to-2014   The Government is making changes to Child Tax Credit and Universal Credit which will help put welfare spending on a more sustainable path. The Government wants to move from a low wage, high tax, high welfare society to a higher wage, lower tax, lower welfare society. That means more emphasis on support to hardworking families on low incomes by reducing income tax through increases in the personal allowance and increasing wages, than on topping up low wages through tax credits.

Welfare Tax Credits: St Helens North

Conor McGinn: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what his estimate is of the number of households in St Helens North constituency affected by the changes to tax credits proposed in the Summer Budget 2015; and what his estimate is of the effect on each such household of those changes.

Damian Hinds: This information is not available.   Information about the number of benefitting families and average entitlement in the St Helens North constituency in the tax year 2013-14 can be found in the publication ‘Personal tax credits: Finalised award statistics – geographical statistics 2013-2014’ here:   https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/personal-tax-credits-finalised-award-statistics-geographical-statistics-2013-to-2014   The Government is making changes to Child Tax Credit and Universal Credit which will help put welfare spending on a more sustainable path. The Government wants to move from a low wage, high tax, high welfare society to a higher wage, lower tax, lower welfare society. That means more emphasis on support to hardworking families on low incomes by reducing income tax through increases in the personal allowance and increasing wages, than on topping up low wages through tax credits.

Department for Energy and Climate Change

Climate Change: Conferences

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what preparations her Department is making in advance of the Paris Conference on Climate Change 2015.

Andrea Leadsom: The Government is committed to securing an ambitious, legally binding, global deal on climate change at Conference of Parties (COP) 21 to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Paris.My right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, are actively engaging in preparations for Paris. Alongside other G7 leaders, the Prime Minister called for priority to be given to delivering an ambitious climate package at this year’s COP. The G7 statement included strong language on the need for a deal in Paris, on climate finance and on future ambition. The endorsement by G7 leaders has provided further positive momentum. The Secretary of State has also met her international counterparts to discuss the key issues for the Conference in Paris on several occasions, including at the Petersburg Dialogue in Berlin, at the G7 Climate Ministers meeting and more recently at EU Environment Council.There remains a lot of work to do. But my Ministerial colleagues and I will take every opportunity to press for an agreement which includes greenhouse gas reduction targets from all countries that together keep the global goal of limiting global warming to 2 degrees within reach, a regular review of targets and a global long term goal, and a set of rules that ensure transparency and accountability of commitments and allows the world to track progress.

Hinkley Point Power Stations

Ms Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment she has made of the merits of the complaint made by the Austrian government at the European Court of Justice on the development of a new nuclear power station at Hinckley Point; and if she will make a statement.

Andrea Leadsom: The Government is confident that the European Commission’s State aid decision on Hinkley Point C is legally robust and has no reason to believe that Austria has submitted a challenge that has any merit or would delay the project.

Energy: Conservation

Mr David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what recent comparative assessment she has made of (a) her Department's forecast reductions in household gas and electricity consumption attributable to the smart meters programme and (b) reductions which will be attributable to future general improvements in the energy efficiency of dwellings and household appliances and the development of energy-saving technology.

Andrea Leadsom: The Department for Energy and Climate Change has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Wind Power: Subsidies

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment she has made of the effect of removing the subsidy for onshore wind on investment in that technology.

Andrea Leadsom: Onshore wind has made a valuable contribution to the UK energy mix in recent years but has now reached the point where there is enough capacity in the pipeline to help the UK to meet its 2020 renewable commitments. The grace period arrangements that we have proposed are intended to protect investor confidence in the wider renewable sector and balance the interests of onshore wind developers with consumers, who pay the cost of renewable electricity generation through their energy bill.DECC is engaging with developers, investors and stakeholders, as we implement the manifesto commitment. We will consider carefully the level of investment that developers are likely to bring forward under the proposals announced by my rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 18 June.

Cabinet Office

Death: Kettering

Mr Philip Hollobone: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the (a) gender of the deceased person, (b) international classification of disease code for the underlying cause of death, (c) time taken to register the death, (d) year of death and (e) year the death was registered was for each death registered in Kettering constituency at least 366 days after the date of death in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011, (iii) 2012, (iv) 2013 and (v) 2014; and whether for each such death the deceased person was aged (A) under five, (B) five to 15, (C) 15 to 24, (D) 25 to 34, (E) 35 to 44, (F) 45 to 54, (G) 55 to 64 or (H) over 65 years when they died.

Mr Rob Wilson: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 29 June 2015.The correct answer should have been:

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply. 



UKSA Lerter to Member - Cause of Deaths
(PDF Document, 94.92 KB)




Table 2 - for Member - Registration Delays
(Word Document, 14.49 KB)

Mr Rob Wilson: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply. 



UKSA Lerter to Member - Cause of Deaths
(PDF Document, 94.92 KB)




Table 2 - for Member - Registration Delays
(Word Document, 14.49 KB)

Ministers: Ministerial Policy Advisers

Chris Law: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which Ministers in which departments are special advisers in other departments; and what roles each such Minister holds.

Matthew Hancock: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Leicester South on 13 July 2015 to UIN 5983. An updated edition of the List of Ministerial Responsibilities will be published shortly.

Department for Culture Media and Sport

Digital Technology: Disability

Mr Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will publish guidelines to encourage improvements in access to digital services for people with sensory loss.

Mr Edward Vaizey: Government recognises the importance of Digital Inclusion. The Government Digital Service launched the Government’s Digital Inclusion Strategy in April 2014. The Strategy sets out 10 actions that Government and partners from the public, private and voluntary sector will take to reduce digital exclusion.

Digital Technology: Disability

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to improve access to digital services for people with sensory loss.

Mr Edward Vaizey: Government recognises the importance of Digital Inclusion. The Government Digital Service launched the Government’s Digital Inclusion Strategy in April 2014. The Strategy sets out 10 actions that Government and partners from the public, private and voluntary sector will take to reduce digital exclusion.

Digital Technology: Disability

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he plans to take to reduce the digital exclusion of people with sensory loss.

Mr Edward Vaizey: Government recognises the importance of Digital Inclusion. The Government Digital Service launched the Government’s Digital Inclusion Strategy in April 2014. The Strategy sets out 10 actions that Government and partners from the public, private and voluntary sector will take to reduce digital exclusion.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport: Electronic Government

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to ensure that digital resources and services provided by his Department are accessible to people with sensory losses.

Mr Edward Vaizey: Government recognises the importance of Digital Inclusion. The Government Digital Service launched the Government’s Digital Inclusion Strategy in April 2014. The Strategy sets out actions that Government and partners from the public, private and voluntary sector will take to reduce digital exclusion. All departments will undertake end-to-end service redesign of all transactional services with over 100,000 transactions each year. All new or redesigned transactional services will meet a new Digital by Default Service Standard. It is important Government does not leave anyone behind in this move to a digital by default approach. We will provide appropriate support for people to use digital services, as well as other ways to access services for people who need them.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport: Public Appointments

Margaret Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will place in the Library a list of all public appointments made by his Department between 1 January 2015 and 1 May 2015.

Mr Edward Vaizey: Under the Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies April 2012, Government Departments are required to publicise successful appointments.

Television: Licensing

Edward Argar: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether he plans to remove criminal sanctions for non-payment of the television licence fee.

Mr Edward Vaizey: Holding answer received on 10 July 2015



An independent review of the sanctions regime for non-payment of the television licence has been led by David Perry QC on behalf of the Government. The Review has now concluded and the Report will be published in due course. In accordance with section 77(3) of the Deregulation Act 2015, I will lay a report setting out my response to the Review within 3 months of its completion.

BBC Scotland: Finance

Roger Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions he has had with the BBC Trust on levels of funding for BBC Scotland.

Mr Edward Vaizey: No discussions have taken place with the BBC Trust on BBC Scotland funding. The Charter Review is the time to consider all options around BBC. An announcement will be made in due course.

Football: Television

Hannah Bardell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with broadcasters about free to view broadcast of international football matches involving the home nations.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The Government recognises the important role that sport plays in all our lives and a Free-to-Air Listed Events regime has operated in the UK for many years. Taking into account the list, it is a commercial matter for the broadcasters to choose which sporting events to bid for.

Television: Licensing

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will publish the full text of the agreement he reached with the BBC that the BBC will fund the provision of TV Licences for those age over 75, announced on 6 July 2015.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The full text of the agreement reached between the BBC and the government on funding of the over-75s free television licences has been published on the Gov.uk website, and can be found using the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/443735/Letter_from_George_Osborne_and_John_Whittingdale_to_Tony_Hall_FINAL.PDF

Television: Licensing

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will publish a financial assessment of the effect on the public purse and the BBC agreement announced on 6 July 2015 that the BBC will fund the provision of TV Licences for those age over 75.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The financial assessment of the impact on the public purse of the agreement with the BBC to take on responsibility for funding over-75s free television licences announced on 6 July 2015 has been published in the Office For Budget Responsibility’s Economic and Fiscal Outlook, July 2015. Tables 4.13 and 4.14 on pages 110 and 111 and paragraphs 4.128 and 4.129 on page 136 detail changes in the BBC’s expenditure since the March 2015 forecast. The information can be found using the following link: http://cdn.budgetresponsibility.independent.gov.uk/July-2015-EFO-234224.pdf. The impact on the Exchequer has been published in the Summer Budget 2015: policy costings document, on page 61 of the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/443195/Policy_costings_summer_budget_2015.pdf

BBC Trust: Correspondence

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will publish the letter he sent to the BBC Trust on 3 July 2015.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The full text of the agreement reached between the BBC and the government on funding of the over-75s free television licences has been published on the Gov.uk website, and can be found using the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/443735/Letter_from_George_Osborne_and_John_Whittingdale_to_Tony_Hall_FINAL.PDF

Telecommunications: Competition

Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans he has to refer fixed line telecommunications services to the Competition and Markets Authority.

Mr Edward Vaizey: This is a matter for the communications regulator, Ofcom, or the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), either of which might review the fixed line telecommunications market on their own initiative. Ofcom could conduct a market study and, if its findings warranted it, refer it to the CMA for a market investigation. In theory it is possible for the Secretary of State to request a referral to the CMA under Section 131 (1) of the Enterprise Act. However, this is a ‘reserve power’ and has never been used.Ofcom periodically reviews the telecommunications fixed access market, most recently in May 2014. In March this year Ofcom launched an overarching Strategic Review of Digital Communications in the UK. This is covering both fixed and wireless networks and services.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport: Ashfield

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much his Department has spent under each budget sub-head in Ashfield constituency in each of the last five years.

Mr Edward Vaizey: My Department does not generally record expenditure by constituency and this information could only be provided at disproportionate cost. However, it is possible to state the amounts paid to churches in Ashfield under the Listed Places of Worship grant scheme, which are as follows.Year to 31 March2015 10,340.202014 347.952013 43,921.292012 449.352011 3,095.13 Total £58,153.92

Sports: Departmental Coordination

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what meetings he has had with Ministers in other Departments to discuss the development of cross-departmental sport-based initiatives.

Tracey Crouch: DCMS will be consulting on a new strategy over the summer and will publish our new approach later this year. As sport extends across almost every area of government activity, this strategy needs to be cross-Government to be effective. With this in mind, DCMS ministers have already met with ministerial colleagues from a range of departments to build on the positive work already underway. We will continue to engage with them to develop the strategy.

Department of Health

Mental Health Services: Expenditure

Edward Argar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much of the NHS budget (a) in cash terms and (b) as a proportion of the total budget has been spent on mental health services in each year since 2005.

Alistair Burt: The three tables below show the total National Health Service expenditure and total mental health expenditure. The reason the tables are split is due to NHS revenue expenditure and mental health expenditure not being directly comparable across the time period from 2004-05 to 2013-14.   The 2014-15 final outturn data is not yet available.   Table 1 shows years 2004-05 to 2007-08. The NHS expenditure figures are on a pre-Clear Line of Sight resource budgeting basis. The mental health expenditure is from Programme Budgeting data, information which is collected and published to help commissioners plan and spend their allocations.   Table 1  ABCFinancial YearNHS Revenue Expenditure under pre Clear Line of Sight Rules (£ billion)Mental Health Expenditure as per Programme Budgeting data (£ billion)B as a % of A2004-0566.877.2210.802005-0674.177.8210.542006-0778.478.4110.722007-0886.389.1710.62 Table 2 shows years 2008-09 to 2012-13. NHS expenditure figures are on an aligned basis following the HM Treasury’s Clear Line of Sight programme. The mental health expenditure information is from Programme Budgeting data.   Table 2  ABCFinancial YearNHS Revenue Expenditure under Clear Line of Sight Rules(£ billion)Mental Health Expenditure as per Programme Budgeting data (£ billion)B as a % of A2008-0987.629.7911.172009-1094.4210.6111.242010-1197.4710.9611.242011-12100.2711.1611.132012-13102.5711.2811.00 Table 3 shows 2013-14. The NHS expenditure figures are on an aligned basis following the HM Treasury’s Clear Line of Sight programme. The mental health expenditure for 2013-14 has been collected directly from NHS England.   Table 3  ABCFinancial YearNHS Revenue Expenditure under Clear Line of Sight Rules(£ billion)Mental Health Expenditure as per NHS England Accounts(£ billion)B as a % of A2013-14106.5011.3610.67 Unfortunately, it is not possible to directly compare each year due to the different reporting rules across the time period. One way to do this is to compare spending in real terms. The following table shows mental health expenditure since 2004-05 in 2013-14 prices -   Financial YearMental Health Expenditure in 2013-14 prices(£ billion)2004-058.952005-069.432006-079.872007-0810.462008-0910.892009-1011.512010-1111.572011-1211.572012-1311.512013-1411.36

Urinary System: Diseases

Tom Pursglove: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what guidance and information is available to (a) NHS healthcare workers, (b) patients and (c) carers of patients who regularly suffer from urinary-tract infections.

Jane Ellison: Guidance aimed at healthcare staff, patients, carers and the public on the care and treatment of people with urinary tract infections (UTIs) is available from a number of sources. These include the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) which published a quality standard on the treatment of Urinary tract infections in adults in June 2015. This is part of a suite of materials which includes a quality standard on Urinary tract infections in infants, children and young people under 16 and information for the public. In addition to describing the NICE quality standard, The information for the public provides links to other information sources such as NHS Choices and The Bladder and Bowel Foundation. These resources are available at https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qs90   Materials specifically for primary care include the Public Health England (PHE) primary care antibiotic guidance which was updated in June 2015. It provides advice on the treatment of uncomplicated UTIs and on antibiotic choice. It also has advice on treating those with recurrent UTIs. It is available via the PHE and Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) TARGET (Treat Antibiotics Responsibly, Guidance, Education, Tools) Antibiotics Toolkit website. Clinical commissioning groups are able to use this guidance to develop local versions. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/managing-common-infections-guidance-for-primary-care   PHE has also developed guidance on diagnosis of UTIs, which is being reviewed this year. This is also available via the PHE or RCGP TARGET website. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/urinary-tract-infection-diagnosis   In addition, the TARGET Antibiotics Toolkit, available on the RCGP website, includes a presentation for primary care staff, and an online course on managing urinary symptoms. These are available at: http://www.rcgp.org.uk/clinical-and-research/target-antibiotics-toolkit.aspx

Dementia: Research

Edward Argar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much his Department has provided for research into dementia (a) in cash terms, (b) in real terms, (c) as a proportion of the total research and development budget of his Department in each year since 2005.

George Freeman: Prior to the establishment of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) in April 2006, the main part of the Department’s total health research expenditure was devolved to and managed by National Health Service organisations. The NHS organisations reported on their use of these allocations in annual research and development (R&D) reports. These reports estimated total, aggregated spend on certain priority areas including dementia. Where a research project related to two or more priority areas, the expenditure on it was included within each relevant area. From April 2006 to March 2009, transitional research funding was allocated to these organisations at reducing levels. At the same time, an increasing amount of NHS research funding was awarded competitively through new NIHR programmes and schemes.   The following table shows estimated central R&D revenue budget spend on dementia through NHS R&D, the NIHR, and the Department’s Policy Research Programme (PRP), and this spend as a proportion of total expenditure from this budget.Estimated spend on dementia through NHS R&D, NIHR and PRP  £ millionProportion of central R&D revenue budget%2005/0618.32.82006/0722.83.32007/0822.22.92008/0918.42.2   The following table shows estimated central R&D revenue budget spend on dementia through the NIHR, and the PRP, and this spend as a proportion of total expenditure from this budget.Estimated spend on dementia through NIHR and PRP  £ millionProportion of central R&D revenue budget%2009/1012.71.42010/1118.61.92011/1219.72.12012/1325.62.62013/1427.22.7   In 2011/12 there was also £5.4 million NIHR capital expenditure on dementia. Data for 2014/15 is not yet available.

Tuberculosis: Health Services

Harry Harpham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the timetable is for delivery of the Collaborative Tuberculosis strategy for England.

Jane Ellison: A draft implementation timetable was developed at the time of the launch of “The Collaborative Tuberculosis (TB) Strategy for England 2015-2020” on January 2015. As part of the strategy implementation process, work is currently underway with relevant stakeholders to review and finalise an implementation plan and timetable to deliver the Collaborative TB Strategy for England 2015-2020 in autumn 2015.

Tuberculosis: South Yorkshire

Harry Harpham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent discussions he has had on the possible establishment of a tuberculosis control board in South Yorkshire.

Jane Ellison: I understand that a joint tuberculosis control board is to be established covering the Yorkshire and the Humber and North East regions.

Department of Health: Statistics

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department takes to ensure that the most recent relevant academic research is taken into account when preparing departmental statistical analyses.

Jane Ellison: Departmental statistical analyses are informed through use of relevant data, research and policy requirements.

Ambulance Services: Pay

Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the effect of the pay grades of staff in the ambulance service on recruitment to that service.

Alistair Burt: There are nearly 2,000 more additional paramedics now than in 2010.   The pay grades of staff in the ambulance service, similar to most other staff across the National Health Service, are based on rigorous job evaluation to ensure staff are paid fairly for what they do. The independent NHS Pay Review Body regularly carries out assessments of the impact of pay on the recruitment and retention of NHS non-medical staff. In their 28th Report in March 2014 they did not comment on the effect of pay grades of ambulance staff on the recruitment to that service.

Out of Area Treatment: Wales

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his Department's response is to the recommendation of the Welsh Affairs Committee in its Third Report of Session 2014-15, HC 404, on cross-border health arrangements between England and Wales, that formal protocols be put in place to ensure consultation between local health boards and clinical commissioning groups when changes to services affect populations across the border.

Jane Ellison: The Government is considering the Welsh Affairs Select Committee report on Cross-border healthcare arrangements and will be responding in due course.

Allergies

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with clinical and research bodies on methods of reducing the number of people who develop allergies.

Jane Ellison: Although health is a devolved matter, research and evidence on best practice is made widely available across the United Kingdom health departments.

Obesity: Surgery

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what representations he has received on complications experienced by some patients including pain and difficulty swallowing food after weight-loss surgery; and what steps he plans to take in response to those representations.

Jane Ellison: The National Registry for Bariatric Surgery collects a range of outcomes data including complications through the national clinical reference group. However, commissioners do not ask for data on these specific symptoms.   If a patient experiences post-surgical issues they should seek advice from their doctor. The symptoms described can occur after any type of gastric surgery and are not necessarily related to surgery specific for obesity.

Cancer: Drugs

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans NHS England has to make biphosphorates available as a treatment to prevent breast cancer spreading into bones.

George Freeman: Clinicians are able to prescribe bisphosphonates for the prevention of breast cancer where there is a clinical need.   NHS England’s breast cancer clinical reference group has highlighted bisphosphonates as a key issue for potential improvement in survival outcomes in its draft service specification for breast cancer.   NHS England expects the draft service specification to be finalised and available for dissemination in autumn 2015. It will then be up to clinical commissioning groups to take this into account in developing their local commissioning activities.

Depressive Illnesses: Roaccutane

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with clinical and pharmaceutical bodies on alleged links between the acne drug roaccutane and depression.

George Freeman: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has met with various stakeholders regarding the possible link between Roaccutane (isotretinoin) and psychiatric disorders including depression since the late 1990’s.   Warnings regarding the possible risk of developing depression or aggravating existing depression have been included in the product information for Roaccutane and the generic versions of isotretinoin since 1998. As further data has emerged the warnings have been updated.   A scientific advisory group of the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM), the Government’s independent expert advisory body on medicines licensing and safety, was first convened in 2003 to specifically consider the safety of isotretinoin.   The members of the group included experts in clinical pharmacology, pharmacovigilance, dermatology, psychiatry, psychopharmacology, epidemiology and general practice, as well as lay members. The group considered the risks of psychiatric disorders including depression suspected to be associated with isotretinoin in 2003, 2005 and 2014 and reported their findings to the CHM.   The recommendations of the expert group were endorsed by CHM and were communicated to healthcare professionals, including clinicians and pharmacists.

Health Services: Voucher Schemes

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many parents received Health Start vouchers in the last year for which figures are available; and what the total cost to the Exchequer was of such vouchers.

Jane Ellison: It is not possible to give an exact annual figure for the number of parents who received Healthy Start vouchers. The number of parents receiving Healthy Start vouchers fluctuates through the year as people’s circumstances change. Families leave the scheme, some join for the first time, others rejoin the scheme; data is not automatically held indicating whether new applicants have been in receipt of Healthy Start at an earlier point in the year.   However, monthly figures are collected that provide a snapshot of the numbers of beneficiaries receiving vouchers at any point in time, which in June 2015 stood at 442,111. According to the numbers on the scheme every cycle that vouchers are issued, an average 480,000 beneficiaries received Healthy Start vouchers in 2014/15.   The total cost of the vouchers that were redeemed by beneficiaries in 2014/15 was £82.8 million.

Mefloquine

Mrs Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many prescriptions for Larium GPs issued in each year from 2010 to date; what the cost was of those prescriptions; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: The number of prescription items written in the United Kingdom and dispensed in the community in England and associated net ingredient cost is in the table.   YearPrescription items000sNet ingredient cost£000s201014.5306.9201115.6317.4201217.7346.7201318.0353.8201417.6367.2   Source: Prescription Cost Analysis provided by the Health and Social Care Information Centre

Health and Social Care Information Centre

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make it his policy to ensure future data returns by local authorities to the Health and Social Care Information Centre are designed to help evaluate local authorities' performance under the Care Act 2014.

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he plans to take to monitor local authorities' implementation of the Care Act 2014.

Alistair Burt: To help understand the needs of local authorities and support them and their partners in delivering the Care Act, together with local government we are have agreed approaches to:   - implementation assurance: to monitor progress with preparations for delivery, including the required actions of all organisations across the whole programme; - implementation support: identifying requirements for support with implementation, including specific support materials and more bespoke advice and consultancy; and - benefits realisation and evaluation: to track that changes to the care and support system are being embedding into practice and delivering what was intended.   National stocktake surveys led by the Local Government Association and Association of Directors of Adult Social Service provide an overview of readiness, delivery confidence and key issues, supported by follow-up discussions and analysis to validate results.   The Department has also agreed with the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services and the Local Government Association a process for the ongoing monitoring of specified demand data in all local authorities from 1 April 2015, based on the areas of most significant risk as identified by local authorities.   Over the past year, the national statutory local authority data returns collected by the Health and Social Care Information Centre have all been assessed to ensure that they collect the information required on the Care Act. Consultations were carried out during Summer 2014 and subsequent amendments were disseminated to local authorities for the collections from 1 April 2015 onwards.

Pharmacy: General Practitioners

James Cartlidge: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the role of pharmacies in reducing the demand on GP services.

Alistair Burt: Pharmacy already plays a vital role in supporting the health of people in their local communities, providing high quality care and support, improving people’s health and reducing health inequalities. As we move to more integrated care, there is real potential for pharmacists and their teams to play an even greater role in the future, particularly in keeping people healthy, supporting those with long term conditions and helping make sure patients and the National Health Service get the best use from medicines.   NHS England in its Five Year Forward View stated that there should be far greater use of pharmacists: in prevention of ill health; support for healthy living; support to self-care for minor ailments and long term conditions medication review in care homes; and as part of more integrated local care models. For example, many community pharmacists are being commissioned to provide seasonal flu vaccinations, helping to reduce pressure on general practitioners (GPs).   My Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State in his speech on the new deal for general practice outlined how some GP practices are helping to deliver seven day care by better use of pharmacists. This will be enabled further by pharmacists having access to a patient’s summary care record. £7.5 million of the primary care infrastructure fund for this year will be used to support community pharmacists with training and appropriate tools.

Dental Services

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many new patients have registered with NHS dentists in each of the last three years.

Alistair Burt: The National Health Service does not collect information about registration and so this is not available.

Tameside Hospital

Angela Rayner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Points of Order raised by the hon. Member for Ashton-under-Lyne on 29 June 2015 and 6 July 2015, when he plans to respond to the hon. Member for Ashton-under-Lyne in respect of his unannounced visit to Tameside Hospital; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Rayner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, on how many occasions since the 2015 General Election an hon. Member has not been notified of an official visit to their constituency made by (a) him and (b) a Minister in his Department.

Angela Rayner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he plans to be in a position to apologise to the hon. Member for Ashton-under-Lyne for not notifying the hon. Member of his visit to her constituency.

Jane Ellison: My Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State responded to the hon. Member on 9 July.   Other than the exception of the hon. Member, we are not aware of another incidence of a member not being informed of a visit to their constituency.

Dental Services

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the level of demand for NHS dentist places.

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the availability of NHS dentist places in Sheffield, Heeley constituency.

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the availability of NHS dentist places.

Alistair Burt: NHS England commission primary care dental services based on local oral health needs assessments in collaboration with public health teams in local authorities to determine the needs of local populations.   Information is collected quarterly from patients on whether they sought a National Health Service dental appointment and, if so, whether they were successful. This “GP Patient Survey Dental Statistics; January to March 2015, England” provides information on how far demand for NHS dental treatment is being met.   This information is available at national, and clinical commissioning group (CCG) level. It is not collected at constituency level. In the latest survey, carried out in January to March 2015, 93% of English respondents had sought an NHS dental appointment in the last two years and reported they had been successful. In the NHS Sheffield CCG area this figure was 91%.   The full results from the survey can be found at:   http://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/2015/07/02/5694gpps_dentw21415/

Sign Language: Finance

Ben Howlett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his policy is on future funding for supporting adult sign readers; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: It is the responsibility of local providers and commissioners to make the reasonable adjustments required by the Equality Act 2010 to ensure that disabled people are not placed at a substantial disadvantage compared to non-disabled people.   Arrangements for the provision of sign language interpretation and translation services by National Health Service bodies and NHS service providers are a matter for local determination.   In order to reduce unacceptable variation in the provision of accessible information and communication support to disabled people, including adult sign readers, NHS England published an accessible information standard, SCCI1605, on 3 July. The standard sets out that all organisations providing NHS or adult social care must take steps to ensure that people receive information that they can access and understand, and receive communication support if they need it. Organisations must comply in full with the standard by 31 July 2016.

Cataracts: Surgery

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many cataract operations have been conducted for people in each age group in each of the last five years.

Alistair Burt: The number of cataract operations in England over the last five years are shown in the attached table. In 2013-14 there were 365,470. This compares to 343,970 operations in 2009-10. The 70-79 and 80-89 age groups had the largest number of operations accounting for 68% of cataract operations in 2013-14.



Cataract operations (England) per age group 09-14
(Word Document, 15.82 KB)

Mental Health Services: Finance

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department plans to take to ensure that clinical commissioning groups increase mental health spending in real terms in 2015-16.

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment the Government has made of NHS England's progress in achieving its Mandate objectives on mental health.

Alistair Burt: The Government’s Mandate to NHS England (NHSE) sets out clearly that “we expect NHSE to make rapid progress, working with Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and other commissioners, to help deliver on our shared goal to have crisis services that, for an individual, are at all times as accessible, responsive and high quality as other health emergency services.”   We continue to take mental health as seriously as physical health and will hold the National Health Service to account for achieving the objectives set out in the NHS Mandate, ensuring that mental and physical health conditions are given equal priority.   NHSE will be monitoring spend against plan during the year in line with their normal review procedures.   NHSE’s planning guidance set out a clear expectation for CCGs in terms of increasing spend on mental health. CCGs were required to ensure that mental health spend will rise in real terms in every CCG and grow at least in line with each CCG’s overall allocation growth.   NHSE’s scrutiny of CCG plans shows that overall this expectation has been met. Programme growth was 3.7%, whereas the total planned additional spend is £383 million, an increase of 4.6%. This increase includes £70 million of mental health allocation currently held centrally within plans.

Thromboembolism: Drugs

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 7 July 2015 to Question 5418, for what reasons the report of the review of the use of the drug alteplase was not published at the start of 2015 as originally planned.

George Freeman: The original timeline for the completion of the review was extended to enable a comprehensive evaluation of relevant data, some of which became available in 2015. The Group’s conclusions and recommendations remain confidential while the review is ongoing and will be published after their consideration by the Commission on Human Medicines.

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people were diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in each of the last five years.

Jane Ellison: The Department does not hold this information centrally.   Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a complex group of heritable disorders of connective tissue with an estimated prevalence of 1 in 20,000. As EDS appears in a variety of forms diagnosis can be underestimated.

Visual Impairment

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people in each age group were registered as blind in each of the last five years.

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people in each age group were registered as deaf in each of the last five years.

Alistair Burt: Information on the number of people who are registered as blind or deaf is collected and published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre.   The following table shows the last available information related to the age distribution for people registered as deaf in England:   YearAllunder 1818 - 6465 - 7475 and over200754,5003,40028,7006,40016,000201056,4002,20030,1006,70017,400   The table below shows the latest available information related to the age distribution for people registered as blind in the last five years:   YearTypeAllunder 1818 - 4950 - 7475 and over2008All cases152,9804,78019,33030,46098,270 New cases10,2304158801,8007,1302011All cases147,8104,44018,88029,98594,475 New cases9,1104059851,7405,9752014All cases143,3854,27519,57031,62087,920 New cases8,8753708901,7005,915

Blood: Screening

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will take steps to make the HemoLink device for taking blood samples available for use in the NHS.

George Freeman: Manufacturers of medical devices have to obtain a CE mark before their products can be made available on the European Union market. The HemoLink device has not yet received a CE mark and therefore cannot be used as a medical device in the European Union. Decisions on the use of particular products that are CE marked are a matter for individual healthcare providers.

Tinnitus

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people were diagnosed with tinnitus in each of the last five years; and how many people in total have that condition.

Jane Ellison: This information is not collected. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence estimates that around 6 million people in the United Kingdom have some form of tinnitus with about 600,000 experiencing it to an extent that it affects their quality of life.

Morquio Syndrome: Drugs

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the compatibility with paragraph 9 of Article 3 of the EU directive on the transparency of measures regulating the prices of medicinal products for human use of NHS England's decision not to respond to BioMarin's pricing offer for Vimizim in October 2014.

George Freeman: The Department is responsible for determining the price of medicinal products. The Department’s procedures for determining price comply with the requirements of the EU Directive on the transparency of measures regulating the prices of medicinal products. The Biomarin product Vimizim (elosulfase alfa) is currently being evaluated by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence as part of its Highly Specialised Technologies programme. In the meantime, NHS England has defined a draft commissioning policy for elosulfase alpha for Mucopolysaccharidosis IV Type A on the basis of the clinical evidence of its effectiveness. No final funding decision has been made.

Cancer: Drugs

Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate his Department has made of the number of people likely to have been prescribed treatments in 2015-16 which has been removed from the National Cancer Drugs Fund list.

George Freeman: We have made no such estimate.   Advances in medical science mean that new cancer medicines are emerging all the time and the Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF) needs to regularly reprioritise the list so people can access these too. Decisions to add or remove drugs from the national CDF list are made by NHS England taking account of the need to ensure the resources of the Fund are used most effectively.

Cancer: Health Services

Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of cancer patients in (a) England and (b) Copeland constituency received their first cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent GP referral in each of the last 10 years.

Jane Ellison: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is shown in the following table.   The performance of the National Health Service in England is monitored against a standard that 85% of patients should begin first definitive treatment for all cancers within a maximum of 62 days from urgent general practitioner (GP) referral for suspected cancer.   Percentage of patients starting first definitive treatment for all cancers within 62 days from urgent GP referral for suspected cancer, 2011-12 Quarter 1 to 2014-15 Quarter 4 QuarterEnglandCumbria12011-12 Q1286.6%83.4%2011-12 Q287.3%84.4%2011-12 Q387.9%84.8%2011-12 Q487.3%86.5%2012-13 Q187.5%88.2%2012-13 Q287.3%82.9%2012-13 Q387.9%85.3%2012-13 Q486.3%81.9%2013-14 Q186.9%79.6%2013-14 Q286.8%79.7%2013-14 Q385.8%82.2%2013-14 Q484.4%79.8%2014-15 Q184.1%80.7%2014-15 Q283.5%83.0%2014-15 Q383.8%83.2%2014-15 Q482.3%79.6%   Source: Cancer waiting times, NHS England   Notes: 1. The information is published by NHS commissioning area (primary care trusts to March 2012 and clinical commissioning groups from April 2013) and not by parliamentary constituency. Cumbria has been defined Cumbria Teaching Primary Care Trust to 2012-13 Quarter 4, and NHS Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group from 2013-14 Quarter 1. 2. Commissioner based cancer waiting time statistics are not available before 2011-12 Quarter 1.

Out of Area Treatment: Wales

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many patients with a postal address in Wales use services in (a) Bristol Royal Infirmary, (b) Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre, (c) Bristol Heart Institute, (d) Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, (e) St Michael's Hospital and (f) University of Bristol Dental Hospital in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Jane Ellison: This is a matter for the local National Health Service.   We have written to John Savage, Chair of University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust informing him of the hon. Member’s enquiry. He will reply shortly and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.

Women and Equalities

Civil Partnerships Act 2004

Tim Loughton: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether she has any plans to bring forward an amendment to the Civil Partnerships Act 2004 to permit opposite sex civil partnerships.

Caroline Dinenage: The Government has no plans to extend the Civil Partnership Act 2004 to opposite sex couples. The Government carried out a review of the operation and future of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 required by The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013, which included a full public consultation inviting views on potential changes to civil partnership. The Government published a report, following the review, which concluded that the Government would not make any changes.

Civil Partnerships: Human Rights

Tim Loughton: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what assessment she has made of the compatibility of civil partnerships being available to only same-sex couples with the Human Rights Act 1998.

Caroline Dinenage: The availability of civil partnership only to same sex couples is compatible with the Convention rights and we note that the application to the European Court of Human Rights challenging the availability of civil partnership only to same sex couples was declared inadmissible on 12 December 2013.The Government carried out a review of the operation and future of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 required by The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013, which included a full public consultation inviting views on potential changes to civil partnership.The Government published a report, following the review, which concluded that the Government would not make any changes.